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Ashen Bandara, the Sri Lankan cricketer, who has played 12 limited-overs matches for his country, got arrested for allegedly assaulting his neighbour after getting involved in a parking-related issue with them. After the 26-year-old was taken into police custody on Saturday, March 8, he was granted bail soon after, and now, it is understood that he is expected to appear in court for the case hearing on March 12.
As per the report published by ESPNcricinfo, the Sri Lankan police revealed that the parking incident occurred on Saturday evening in Kolamunna, Piliyandala, in the island nation, where Ashen Bandara lives. After getting into an argument in regard to a parked vehicle blocking the road, the Sri Lankan cricketer allegedly entered the house of his neighbour before assaulting him, following which the other neighbour reported the incident.
Ashen Bandara got bail on same day of his arrest
In their official statement, the Sri Lankan police were quoted as saying, “On Saturday evening one of the neighbours had complained of Bandara causing trouble, and that he had trespassed into someone's house. The verbal confrontation had then escalated into a physical one. He was arrested on suspicion of assault on Saturday night and bailed out on the same day.”
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) CEO Ashley de Silva spoke to ESPNcricinfo about the incident, and he stated that they are working on getting further information before deciding on the immediate future of Ashen Bandara. Moreover, the Sri Lankan cricketer is not centrally contracted according to Ashley de Silva, but still, he is contractually obligated to the domestic Police SC team, which is why he could be held liable in regard to tarnishing the image of SLC.
“We first need to look at the contract and also look at the incident. If he is thought to have brought SLC into disrepute, then there is further action that we can take. So we will discuss the matter internally and if it warrants an inquiry we will conduct one,” he said.
