On Sunday, Sri Lankan cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka was arrested on sexual assault charges in Sydney. Following an investigation, the Sri Lankan cricketer was arrested and taken to Sydney Police Station.
“Daushka Gunathilaka has been arrested for an alleged rape. The Sri Lankan team has left Australia without him,” a source aware of the developments told PTI.
On the same day, Sri Lanka was eliminated from the 20-20 World Cup 2022 after losing to England. According to a report by Sydney Morning Herald, it was reported that Gunathilaka and the woman connected with each other via a dating app.
According to details on the website, a 29-year-old woman had been sexually assaulted at a residence in Rose Bay earlier this week.
“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.”
It has now been understood that the Sri Lanka Cricket has suspended Gunathilaka from all forms with immediate effect.
In an official statement, SLC said, “The Executive Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket decided to suspend national player Danushka Gunathilaka from all forms of cricket with immediate effect and will not consider him for any selections after being informed that Mr. Gunathilaka was arrested and charged with sexual assault of a woman in Australia.
Gunathilaka denied bail by local court:
Following a hearing at a local court on Monday, Gunathilaka was also denied bail. His lawyer, Ananda Amaranath made a bail application but the magistrate Robert Williams refused it.
“Certainly, we are considering an application to the Supreme Court and that will be done as soon as possible,” Amaranth was quoted as saying in the report.
“He’ll be disappointed, clearly.” The Sri Lankan team had left Australia without Gunathilaka after being eliminated from the T20 World Cup on Saturday.
Gunathilaka isn’t new to causing controversies. He has often been in the news for the wrong reasons. The recent news has caused a furore on Twitter and the fans have come up with extreme reactions against the Sri Lankan cricketer. Here’s a look at some of them.
Danushka Gunathilaka, 31, met with his alleged victim for “consensual sex,” but at the crucial moment refused to wear a condom. Then he choked the 29-year-old woman and forced himself on her, according to Sydney police spokeswoman Jane Doherty. pic.twitter.com/k3wfgkQke3
— Ranga Sirilal (@rangaba) November 6, 2022
Hey Australia, it is entirely possible to condemn the actions of alleged rapist and Sri Lankan cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka (who is accused of four counts of rape while on tour here for the men's T20 World Cup) without resorting to racism against brown men.
— Tarang / ???? (@tarang_chawla) November 7, 2022
To all those out there quick to defend Sri Lankan cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka, would you still take his side if he was accused of rape by your daughter or sister?#LKA #SriLanka
— Munza Mushtaq (@munza14) November 6, 2022
If Danushka Gunathilaka ever play again with @OfficialSLC, I'm done with this team.. He should be ban for life time..
— Wasantha Saman (@Wasantha_89) November 6, 2022
People don't learn. "No means No".
If a girl invites you home, wants to have sex, but asks you to use protection. You gotta use. No ifs and buts.
People need to understand the concept of "Consensus". Sex must be under acceptable terms.#DanushkaGunathilaka #T20WorldCup #MeToo
— Saikiran Kannan | ????? (@saikirankannan) November 6, 2022
This sick freak need to learn a lesson. There is an social media campaign saying there is no guilty in his hand for this scenario. Most of our social media Muppets in facebook don't even know the meaning of the words Rape & sexually assault.
— Bardslayer (@BardSlayerNFT) November 7, 2022
He's literally locked up in a prison. He'll find it difficult to have two nets a day, but I guess he's got his bat and two balls to blame for that!
— Matthew Pearce (@mattcpearce) November 7, 2022
Players like #DanushkaGunathilaka needs to be banned for life(if he found guilty) disgrace to @OfficialSLC board, Sl people and to this beautiful game of cricket. @ICC
— Giriprasath R (@r_giriprasath) November 6, 2022
Shame on #DanushkaGunathilaka who was charged with alleged sexual assault in #Sydney.
He was ruled out of #T20WC2022 with a hamstring tear, but was charged for 4 counts of sexual attempts without consent.
Professional players never deviate.@OfficialSLChttps://t.co/pGzoRxEyw5
— Abdul Thawwab Ishaque (@abdulthawwab) November 6, 2022
