In a recent development, Sri Lankan cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka has been acquitted of sexual assault charges by a Sydney court. The 32-year-old, who was arrested last November during the T20 World Cup, was accused of sexual intercourse without consent. While he faced four counts of rape charges, he was found guilty of only one count of “stealthing.” Gunathilaka, who had been under suspension from all cricket activities by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), can now return to Sri Lanka.
During the trial, Judge Sarah Huggett stated that the evidence indicated there was no opportunity for the accused to remove the condom, emphasizing the continuous nature of the intercourse. The judge acknowledged Gunathilaka’s cooperation with the police and found his responses truthful. She also noted that while the complainant did not seem motivated by false intent, some of her statements appeared biased against the accused.
Outside the Sydney court, Gunathilaka expressed relief and happiness, stating that the past 11 months had been incredibly challenging for him. He is looking forward to resuming a normal life and getting back to playing cricket.
