Sri Lanka’s Gunathilaka arrested on rape charges
Sri Lanka batter Danushka Gunathilaka has been arrested in Sydney on rape charges.
Published : Nov 06, 2022 08:32 IST
File image of Gunathilaka. | Photo Credit: REUTERS
Sri Lanka batter Danushka Gunathilaka, on Sunday, has been charged and arrested on rape charges in Sydney .
Gunathilaka was ruled out of the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup in the first round after sustaining a hamstring injury. He was replaced by travelling reserve Ashen Bandara but stayed with in Australia with the Lankan squad.
The 31-year-old has represented Sri Lanka in 46 T20Is and has scored 741 runs at an average of 16.46.
In a statement released by Sri Lanka Cricket, it stated that the board was aware of Gunathilaka’s arrest and the player is due to appear in court on November 7.
“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.” the statement said.
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.
“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.
“As part of ongoing investigations, a crime scene examination was undertaken by specialist police at an address in Rose Bay yesterday. Following further inquiries, a 31-year-old man was arrested at a hotel on Sussex Street, Sydney, shortly before 1am today (Sunday 6 November 2022),” the report added.
Sri Lanka’s World Cup campaign was cut short following a defeat in its final group match against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday.