Sri Lankan cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka has been declared not guilty of sexual assault charges in Sydney, Australia. The 32-year-old batsman expressed his relief outside the court, stating that he is eager to get back to playing cricket.
Gunathilaka was taken into custody in November last year, shortly after Sri Lanka lost to England in their last Twenty20 World Cup match in Australia. He had initially faced four counts of sexual intercourse without consent, as he had arranged a meeting with a woman through a dating app at a bar near the Sydney Opera House.
In May, three of the charges against him were dropped, and in the recent ruling, Judge Sarah Huggett found him not guilty of the remaining count, according to the New South Wales District Court in Sydney. Expressing his gratitude, Gunathilaka thanked everyone who had supported him throughout the ordeal, stating that their belief in him meant a lot.
Gunathilaka had been accused of removing a condom during sex without informing the woman, who had consented to protected sex, as reported by the Australian public broadcaster ABC. However, the judge cited that the woman did not possess a clear memory of the incident.
Having made his international debut in 2015, Gunathilaka has represented Sri Lanka in eight Tests, 47 ODIs, and 46 T20s. He was suspended by Sri Lanka Cricket following the charges leveled against him.
The cricketer expressed his happiness at being able to resume his normal life and eagerly anticipates returning to the sport. Gunathilaka’s acquittal brings closure to a difficult period in his life and represents a fresh start for him both on and off the field.