Warnaweera was charged with an offence under Article 2.4.6 of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code, which relates to “failing, without compelling justification, to cooperate with any reasonable investigation carried out by the ACU in relation to possible breaches of the Anti-Corruption Code, including failure to provide information and/or documentation requested by the ACU that may be relevant to such investigation”.

The ICC in a statement noted, Warnaweera failed, on two separate occasions, to attend a scheduled interview with the ACU in relation to an ongoing investigation and failed to provide documents required from him in connection with the investigation. The ICC said, Warnaweera also failed to respond in any manner to the charge.

Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Unit Ronnie Flanagan, said: “The ICC takes no pleasure in imposing a suspension, but this decision clearly illustrates what the Code means to the ICC and how seriously we take matters that relate to corruption. The ICC has a zero-tolerance approach towards corruption and it will not hesitate in taking such decisions in its endeavor to eliminate this menace from the sport.”

Sri Lanka Cricket has also been informed of the decision. All breaches of Articles carry a minimum suspension of six months and a maximum of five years.

(newsradio)