Sri Lanka cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka, who was in Australia, has been arrested on charges of sexual assault, team sources said on Sunday. 

Danushka Gunathilaka | Arrested | Rape charges

Danushka Gunathilaka is a professional Sri Lankan cricketer who plays as a top-order batter in all forms of the game. He also played for Sri Lanka national under-19 cricket team at the 2010 Under-19 Cricket World Cup.

Danushka Gunathilaka | Arrested | Rape charges

Personal information
  Full name   
Mashtayage Danushka Gunathilaka
Born 17 February 1991 (age 31)
Panadura, Sri Lanka
Batting Left-handed
Bowling Right-arm leg spin
Role Top-order-wicket-keeper batsman

In March 2018, he was named in Kandy’s squad for the 2017–18 Super Four Provincial Tournament.

The following month, he was also named in Kandy’s squad for the 2018 Super Provincial One Day Tournament.

In August 2018, he was named in Dambulla’s squad the 2018 SLC T20 League.

In March 2019, he was named in Dambulla’s squad for the 2019 Super Provincial One Day Tournament.

Danushka Gunathilaka Arrested 

Danushka Gunathilaka has been arrested in Sydney for alleged sexual assault, Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed on Sunday (November 6). The Sri Lankan batter was arrested from the team hotel and is due to appear in court on Monday.

Danushka Gunathilaka | Arrested | Rape charges

“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,” SLC said in a statement.

The 31-year-old was earlier ruled out of the ongoing T20 WC with a hamstring injury but remained with the squad in Australia.

The New South Wales police in a statement confirmed that Gunathilaka has been charged with four counts of sexual intercourse without consent.

“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,” NSW police said.

“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.

Danushka Gunathilaka | Arrested | Rape charges

“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.”

Rape charges 

“Daushka Gunathilaka has been arrested for an alleged rape. The Sri Lankan team has left Australia without him,” a source close to the Sri Lankan team told PTI.

Sri Lankan team was eliminated from the tournament after losing to England on Sunday.

The left-handed batter played against Namibia in the first round match of the ongoing T20 World Cup and was out for a duck.

The Lankan team finished fourth in Group 1.

Danushka Gunathilaka | Arrested | Rape charges

The New South Wales police, on its website, has also mentioned about the arrest of an unnamed Sri Lankan national.

“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,” the report said.

According to details on the wesbite, a 29-year-old woman had been sexually assaulted at a residence in Rose Bay earlier this week.

“As part of ongoing investigations, a crime scene examination was undertaken by specialist police at an address in Rose Bay yesterday.

By Rishabh

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *