- Mar 4, 2024
- Jun 19, 2023
After playing their last Super 12 match against England on Saturday, the Sri Lankan Cricket Team left for home from Australia. However, Sri Lankan batter, Danusha Gunathilaka didn’t join the team as he has been arrested on rape charges in Sydney.
“Sri Lanka cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka arrested in Sydney on rape charges, team leaves Australia without him: Team source,” PTI news agency tweeted.
Reportedly, the Sri Lankan cricketer suffered a hamstring injury during the first round of the competition and was ruled out of the tournament because of that. However, he stayed in Australia but now finds himself in deep trouble.
Following a police investigation, he was arrested in the early hours of Sunday morning. It has been understood that Gunathilaka went to meet a woman, after talking with her via an online dating application for a few days. However, he now has been alleged to have raped her on Wednesday evening i.e., 2nd November 2022.
“The woman met with the man after communicating with him for a number of days via an online dating application; it is alleged he then sexually assaulted her on the evening of Wednesday 2 November 2022,” a New South Wales police statement said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
“As part of ongoing investigations, a crime scene examination was undertaken by specialist police at an address in Rose Bay yesterday. Following further inquiries, a 31-year-old man was arrested at a hotel on Sussex Street, Sydney, shortly before 1am today (Sunday 6 November 2022).
“He was taken to Sydney City Police Station and charged with four counts of sexual intercourse without consent. The Sri Lankan national was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court via AVL today.”
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s campaign at the 20-20 World Cup 2022 has come to an end. They lost their last Super 12 encounter against Sri Lanka by 4 wickets. Riding on Pathum Nissanka’s 45-ball 67, Sri Lanka had managed to score 141 runs in the first innings. In reply, England chased down the score in 19.4 overs.