(Image Source: ACP)
[Saba Sports News] Sri Lanka cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka reportedly broke down in front of the police during his detainment on the night of an alleged rape case in Sydney. The incident occurred during his judge-alone trial at Downing Centre district court on September 20. In a recorded police interview played during the trial, the 32-year-old cricketer was seen crying, struggling to speak, and wiping his eyes while providing an account of the events.
During the interview, Gunathilaka denied allegations of kissing the alleged victim, slapping her buttocks, choking her on the bed, or having unprotected sex. He explained that he met the woman on the dating app ‘Tinder,’ and they initially went to the Opera Bar, then for pizza in Sydney CBD before returning to her home for drinks.
The alleged victim accuses Gunathilaka of “stealthing” by removing his condom without her consent during sexual intercourse at her home on November 2, 2022. Gunathilaka has pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual intercourse without consent.
In July, Gunathilaka applied for a judge-alone trial, and his lawyer requested expediting the trial to allow his client to return to Sri Lanka if found not guilty. The court acknowledged Gunathilaka’s severe clinical depression, which has been exacerbated by the legal proceedings and media coverage.
Gunathilaka was arrested in November 2022 during the T20 World Cup, leading to his detention in Australia and the surrender of his passport.