Danushka Gunathilaka
Sri Lankan cricketer arrested in Sydney over alleged sexual assault
Sri Lankan cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka has been arrested and charged with sexually assault in Sydney, police said on Sunday.
"Sex Crimes Squad detectives have charged a Sri Lankan national following an investigation into the alleged sexual assault of a woman in Sydney’s east last week," New South Wales Police said in a statement.
"Yesterday (Saturday 5 November 2022), detectives from the State Crime Command’s Sex Crimes Squad and Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command commenced a joint investigation under Strike Force Veteran following reports a 29-year-old woman had been sexually assaulted at a residence in Rose Bay earlier this week," read the statement.
"The woman met with the man after communicating with him for a number of days via an online dating application; it’s alleged he then sexually assaulted her on the evening of Wednesday 2 November 2022," read the statement.
"As part of ongoing investigations, a crime scene examination was undertaken by specialist police at an address in Rose Bay yesterday," the statement further said.
"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)," the police said.
Police said 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 on Sunday.
The arrest happened at a time when the Sri Lankan team was participating in the T20 World Cup in Australia.
Sri Lanka, however, failed to reach the semi-finals.
The Sri Lankan cricketer made his international debut for the national side in 2015.
So far, the cricketer has played eight test matches, 47 one-day internationals (ODI) and 46 T20I in his career.
Sri Lanka Cricket reacted to the development and said in a statement: "Sri Lanka Cricket confirms that it was notified by the ICC that player Danushka Gunathilaka has been arrested on the allegations of sexual assault of a woman in Sydney, and Mr. Gunathilaka is due to appear in court tomorrow (7 November 2022)."
"SLC will closely monitor the proceedings in court and, in consultation with the ICC, will expeditiously initiate a thorough inquiry into the matter and take stern action against the player if found guilty," read the statement.
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