Win for Sri Lankan cricketer accused of rape

9 August 2023 03:58 pm - 10 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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A Sri Lankan cricket star who has been stranded in Australia for more than eight months will be allowed to travel domestically after his bail conditions were eased.

Danushka Gunathilaka wore black pants and a black heavy jacket when he appeared in Sydney Downing Centre District Court on Tuesday to ask the court for leniency on his bail.

He has previously pleaded not guilty to raping a woman in her Sydney home while he was in the country for the T20 World Cup last year.

The cricketer was arrested and charged in November last year as he prepared to fly home to Sri Lanka with his teammates, and he has since been prevented from leaving the country.

He was granted bail on November 17 with strict conditions that he surrender his passport and not approach any international point of departure.

On Tuesday, the 32-year-old asked the court to vary his bail to allow him to travel within Australia on two occasions this month.

Acting Judge Graeme Henson agreed to allow Mr Gunathilaka to suspend the prohibition on approaching international departure points for four days this week and four days at the end of the month.

He stipulated that the cricketer must notify police at least 48 hours in advance with the duration of his trip, the location, and an itinerary if he plans to travel within Australia.

However, the 32-year-old is still required to report to police three times a week and only allowed to possess one mobile phone.

He is prohibited from using dating sites or apps due to the allegations against him.

Police allege the cricketer matched with a woman on a dating app and chatted with her a number of times online before they met.

The pair had drinks in the city before they went back to the woman’s home in the eastern suburbs of Sydney around 11pm, according to police.

Mr Gunathilaka allegedly ignored the woman’s request to “take it slow” and instead sexually assaulted the 29-year-old woman in her home.

Police allege the cricketer engaged in “forceful” intercourse with the woman during which he choked the woman three times.

The woman told police she was “too afraid to do anything” and she had only consented to sexual intercourse with the cricket star if he agreed to wear a condom.

The woman later found the condom on the floor beside the bed, according to police.

The court was told the sexual assault charge related to “stealthing”, the non-consensual removal of a condom during sex.

He is due to face a judge-alone trial in September. (news.com.au)

Comments - 10

kapila Wednesday, 09 August 2023 04:12 PM

A step closer to getting PR.

Dan Wednesday, 09 August 2023 05:38 PM

This guy is a clone of Keheliya Rambukwella.

Mandayan Wednesday, 09 August 2023 05:46 PM

While stealthing is illegal too in the UK, in a similar case, the defense argued successfully that the accused wore it at the beginning but was unaware it slipped out and blamed the manufacturers. In this case, too, the complainer may have to answer answered questions from the defense side.

cricketer Wednesday, 09 August 2023 06:41 PM

It is not really a win for the cricketer but the imposition of certain travel restrictions on Danuska Gunatillaka within Australia which doesn't sound good.

Ronnie Wednesday, 09 August 2023 09:03 PM

Don't encourage others to do the same poor respond cricket was a gentleman's game not any more due to extremely poor behavior by majority of players from many countries sri Lanka shouldn't follow the creeps

Edie Thursday, 10 August 2023 05:54 AM

Finally he could stay and play for an Australian club. Coming back to Sri Lanka would not give him a chance to play cricket..

Fred Thursday, 10 August 2023 09:12 AM

Sri Lanka and Sri Lankans always in the news for the wrong reasons. Best to talk of something more positive Chamari Athapattu's recent batting performances for SL for example and leave this guy alone

Peter Bulan Thursday, 10 August 2023 04:29 PM

Australia needs many of such people! Legal system?

Muriel rzzel Friday, 11 August 2023 02:42 PM

This was their first date Being forceful and choking your oartner is not part of a mutual satisfying encounter Do sri lankan men need lessons on how to have a proper encounter I think all males should be educated Before their marriage How they start their love life It might not be something a father can advise He might have been assaulting his wife since marriage thinking this is how it should be I know women are told Marriage duty and should keep your husband Sex education is paramount in an adults life before embarking on a life together with another

Muriel rzzel Friday, 11 August 2023 02:42 PM

This was their first date Being forceful and choking your oartner is not part of a mutual satisfying encounter Do sri lankan men need lessons on how to have a proper encounter I think all males should be educated Before their marriage How they start their love life It might not be something a father can advise He might have been assaulting his wife since marriage thinking this is how it should be I know women are told Marriage duty and should keep your husband Sex education is paramount in an adults life before embarking on a life together with another

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Win for Sri Lankan cricketer accused of rape

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