Danushka Gunathilaka rape case victim reveals he forcefully kissed her and slapped her buttocks during their date
Sri Lankan cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka was arrested on 6th November, Sunday for allegedly raping an Australian woman. Three days after the arrest was made, the victim has finally shared her ordeal with the police. The Sydney woman has stated that she was allegedly sexually assaulted on four counts in her Rose Bay home on November 2 by Gunathilaka.
According to an NSW police facts sheet filed with Downing Centre Local Court, the couple matched on Tinder and began talking on video calls through WhatsApp before meeting in person on November 2. The woman alleges Gunathilaka forcefully kissed her and slapped her buttocks on the ferry home after she went out for drinks and pizza with the Sri Lankan cricketer. After they arrived at her home, the cricketer allegedly refused to wear a condom and choked the woman three times.
“The complainant tried to remove the accused’s hand by grabbing his wrist but the accused squeezed tighter around her neck,” the police facts sheet says. “The complainant was fearing for her life and could not get away from the accused.”
She also gagged and couldn’t breathe during an attempt at oral sex, the court documents claim. “She continually tried to pull away from the accused, a clear indication that she was not consenting.”
Gunathilaka, 31, was apprehended by the Police on Sunday at Sydney’s Hyatt Regency Hotel where he was staying while the Sri Lankan cricket team were in Australia for the 20-20 World Cup. He is facing four counts of sexual intercourse without consent and has not yet given a plea.
Sri Lanka Cricket announced it would conduct its own inquiry
In a police interview after his arrest, Gunathilaka validated some of the alleged victim’s story but denied that he had been violent or that the act was not consensual. Prosecutors allege the victim did not consent to sex without a condom or any of the other sexual acts performed.
Gunathilaka travelled to Australia with Sri Lanka’s 20-20 World Cup team but only played in their first game, which they lost against Namibia. He was later ruled out of the competition with a hamstring tear. Sri Lanka were knocked out of the World Cup on Saturday night after losing their final Super 12 match to England.
Gunathilaka was due to board a flight back to Sri Lanka on November 6. On Monday, Sri Lanka Cricket announced it would conduct its own inquiry, saying Gunathilaka would be penalised if the court finds him guilty in Australia. The matter will return to court on January 12.
