Danushka Gunathilaka’s ban has been overturned by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), putting him eligible for national selection once more. The batter was banned by SLC after being accused of sexual intercourse without consent at the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia.
Gunathilaka was ejected for 0 in the World Cup match against Namibia. He was later ruled out due to injury, but remained with the squad in Australia.
Danushka Gunathilaka was cleared of all charges levelled against him in the District Court of New South Wales, Australia, following the trial in the sexual assault case. He visited Sri Lanka earlier this month.
According to an official SLC media release on the subject:
“After careful evaluation of Mr. Gunathilaka’s exoneration and with due consideration to his cricketing career and its impact on the cricketing ambitions of the nation, the Inquiry Panel, headed by Retired High Court Judge, Sisira Ratnayake, Mr. Niroshana Perera, Attorney at Law and Mr. Asela Rekawa Attorney at Law, unanimously recommended an immediate lifting of his cricketing ban, allowing him to resume regular cricket activities and return to national duty.”
SLC official
After his arrest, the Sri Lankan cricketer was charged with four counts of rape. However, they were dropped by the prosecution before trial. He was only charged for removing a condom during sex without the other person’s consent. Danushka Gunathilaka pleaded not guilty, and following a four-day-long trial, he was eventually acquitted.
Danushka Gunathilaka walks free after judge dismisses sexual assault case
Judge Sarah Huggett, who was hearing the cricketer’s case, determined that based on the evidence, Danushka Gunathilaka had no possibility of removing the condom since “that intercourse was continuous.”
The prosecutor’s assertion that the cricketer purposefully gave false information to the police during his interrogation was rejected by the judge as well.
The court speculated that Gunathilaka’s responses may have been caused by “confusion, fatigue, a language barrier, and possibly memory”.
“The accused answered every question asked of him in the interview, and I formed the distinct impression he was doing his best to be truthful and assist the police.”
Sarah Huggett
Danushka Gunathilaka, 32, has played for Sri Lanka in 46 T20 matches, 47 ODIs, and 8 Test matches.