Sri Lanka’s batter Danushka Gunathilaka will face trial on a rape charge in Australia. The charge was levied against him when a woman filed a rape case against him. All these incidents unfolded during the T20 World Cup 2022 when Gunathilaka was in Australia for the marquee event. He was immediately arrested after the woman filed a rape case against him during the T20 World Cup 2022 held in Australia. After the incident, the Lanka Crickey board suspended him & since then he has been staying in Australia. Out of four three charges against him were dropped but he is not yet acquitted of any of the charges. Danushka Gunathilaka has also filed a ‘not guilty’ plea for his fourth charge at a local court in Sydney on Thursday 8th June.
Reportedly the cricketer met the complainant at Sydney’s Opera Bar after chatting with her for a few days on a social dating app in November 2022. As per the complaint filed by the woman both of them spend some time in the bar & headed to her residence where Gunathilaka forced her into unprotected sexual intercourse without her consent. However, three out of four charges against Gunathilaka have been dismissed & the cricketer entered a not-guilty plea to the remaining charge of sexual intercourse without consent at a local court in Sydney on Thursday.
Danushka Gunathilaka is trying to ease his bail process
Currently, Gunathilaka is trying to ease his bail so that he doesn’t have to report police station thrice a day. Meanwhile, his lawyer, Alen Sahinovic has demanded a reduction in punishment as the cricketer doesn’t have any criminal history. There also comes a major relief for Gunathilaka as he has now been allowed to use WhatsApp messaging service and can go out at night. He was previously banned from doing so, when he first gained bail in November 2022.
Meanwhile coming to his playing career Danushka Gunathilaka has represented Sri Lanka in 101 international fixtures amassing 2641 runs. He has also taken 15 wickets & has been an integral part of the Sri Lanka team till the time being suspended. He had featured in just two matches of the T20 World Cup 2022 when Police arrested him in the middle of the marquee event. SLC has offered him significant assistance, including paying for some of his legal costs.
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