Sri Lanka cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka will now undergo a rape trial in Australia. Gunathilaka was accused of raping a woman during the previous edition of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia. Since then, Gunathilaka is stuck in Australia and not able to return back to his home nation.
After the news of his arrest hit the media, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) suspended him with immediate effect. It is learned that 3 out of the 4 cases against Gunathilaka have been dropped but he is still yet to get acquitted as he faces the court for his final charge.
Notably, Gunathilaka has filed a ‘not guilty’ plea for his fourth and final charge at a local court in Sydney on Thursday, June 8. The charge states that Gunathilaka had sexual intercourse without the consent of the lady who accused him of rape.
Gunathilaka had met the anonymous person at Sydney’s Opera Bar after they had matched on a social dating mobile application.
Danushka Gunathilaka was Granted Bail in November Last Year
Currently, Danushka Gunathilaka is aiming to get rid of the charges and aim for a smooth transition in his bail application. He has appealed to have to report to the police station thrice a week instead of the daily punishment being currently served. Gunathilaka was granted bail in November in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court where he appeared via an audiovisual link from Parklea jail. Earlier, in the same month, he was denied bail and banned from all forms of cricket.
He is allowed to go out and night and use WhatsApp services where he was initially banned during his arrest in November.
Gunathilaka is represented by lawyer Alen Sahinovic. SLC is providing significant support to Danushka as they have provided some financial help with legal costs. Gunathilaka had a prolific career before finding himself in trouble.
The Southpaw batsman has played 101 International games and scored 2,641 runs. He made his debut in 2017. Notably, Gunathilaka featured in only 2 World Cup games where he scored only 17 runs and was arrested in the middle of the marquee event.
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