Sri Lanka Cricket Faces Fresh Row as U-19 Players Arrested in Filming Case

Two Sri Lanka Under-19 cricketers have been arrested over allegations of secretly filming hotel guests in bathrooms at a Narahenpita property, police said, as investigations expand to possible digital circulation of the footage.

The incident reportedly took place while the hotel was hosting doctors attending a professional conference. Investigators allege the players used mobile phones to record individuals through structural gaps in bathroom areas.

The suspects were produced before the Hulftsdorp Magistrate's Court and granted personal bail. The case will be taken up again on May 25.

Police said initial findings point to multiple victims. While the complaint first involved female doctors, subsequent inquiries indicate that male guests may also have been recorded. Authorities are now examining seized devices and reviewing hotel premises to establish how the recordings were carried out.

A key focus of the probe is whether any of the footage has been uploaded or shared online. Officials say digital forensics teams are working to trace potential dissemination.

The identities of the two players have not been disclosed.

The case adds to a series of off-field controversies linked to Sri Lankan cricket in recent years. Danushka Gunathilaka was arrested during the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia before being acquitted, while Dulip Samaraweera was handed a 20-year ban by Cricket Australia for misconduct during his coaching stint.

Further legal proceedings and the outcome of forensic analysis are expected to determine the next steps in the case.