T-20 World Cup: Sri Lankan cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka arrested in Sydney for sexual assault

T-20 World Cup: Sri Lankan cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka arrested in Sydney for sexual assault

A Sydney woman who alleges she was raped by Sri Lankan cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka told police her date with the 31-year-old turned into a nightmare in which she feared for her life, according to prosecution documents made public on Wednesday (November 9). The woman was allegedly sexually assaulted four times in her home at Sydney’s Rose Bay on November 2 after going out for drinks and pizza with the international sports star.

Gunathilaka was arrested early Sunday at Sydney’s Hyatt Regency Hotel where he was staying while the Sri Lankan cricket squad was in Australia for the T20 World Cup 2022. He is facing four counts of sexual intercourse without consent and has not yet entered pleas. Each charge carries a potential maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.

His application for release from custody on bail was refused.