Women’s cricket sex scandal: Probe finds evidence of sexual harassment

The committee appointed to investigate the Sri Lanka Women’s Cricket sex scandal has found evidence of sexual harassment by members of the women’s management team, the Sports Ministry said today.

“The Committee report found evidence of sexual harassment by members of the Sri Lanka Cricket Women’s management team against several members of the Sri Lanka Cricket women’s team and the Minister intends to take disciplinary actions against those members where evidence has been found.”

“The Sports Ministry will also forward the recommendations of the said committee to the interim committee of the Sri Lanka Cricket Board with strict instructions to follow the recommendations of the said Committee,” a statement said.

The Report of the three-member committee, headed by Retired Supreme Court Judge Nimal Dissanayake, was handed over to Minister of Tourism and Sports Navin Dissanayake on Wednesday (20).

The Minister thanked the members of the Committee for doing a thorough investigation on the shocking allegations, which were initially reported by media last year.

Mrs. Tharangani Keenawinna Dissanayake, Public Trustee (Committee member), Mr. S. Aloka Bandara Director of Combined Services Ministry of Public Administration (Committee Member), M.I.M Rafeek Secretary Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Saman Bandara Additional Secretary of the Ministry were also present at the occasion.  

The sex scandal had rocked Sri Lankan cricket after media reports last year revealed that women players allegedly complained of demands from certain selectors to be ‘satisfied’ if they wanted a spot on the team.

In November 2014, then Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage had instructed Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to appoint an investigative committee to probe the allegations of the women’s team management and national selectors seeking sexual bribes from players