Dulip Samaraweera banned after investigation found serious breach of Code of Conduct during time employed with Victoria’s women’s team

Former Victoria women’s coach Dulip Samaraweera, an ex-Sri Lanka Test cricketer, has been banned from holding any position within Australian cricket for 20 years.

Samaraweera was found to have engaged in inappropriate behaviour that Cricket Victoria described as “utterly reprehensible” while employed by the organisation.

Following an investigation by Cricket Australia’s Integrity department, the case was referred to the Conduct Commission. Samaraweera was found to have breached CA’s Code of Conduct, which also applies to state and territory associations.

He has been banned from holding any position within CA or a State or Territory Association (including any W/BBL Team) for 20 years.

Cricket Victoria CEO Nick Cummins commended the bravery of the female victim for speaking up.

“We strongly support the decision taken by the Code of Conduct Commission today, banning Dulip Samaraweera for 20 years,” said Cummins.

“It is our view that the conduct was utterly reprehensible and a betrayal of everything we stand for at Cricket Victoria.

“The victim in this case has demonstrated incredible strength of character and courage in speaking up. She will continue to receive our ongoing support to allow her to achieve her goals on and off the field.

“From an organisation perspective, the safety and wellbeing of everyone at Cricket Victoria is paramount. We will not tolerate any behaviour which compromises that position, or our people, and will always support our culture of speaking up.”

Samaraweera, who played seven Tests and five ODIs for Sri Lanka in the early 1990s, first joined Cricket Victoria’s women’s program as a specialist batting coach in 2008.

He was named interim head coach of the team in November 2023, and appointed to the full-time role in May this year, but resigned less than a fortnight later.