News

‘My life is normal again’: Cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka cleared of rape

Published

1 year ago

September 28, 2023

Editor

Sri Lankan international cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka says he is eager to return to the game and rebuild his reputation after he was acquitted of sexual assault by a Sydney judge who said the evidence established there was “no opportunity” for him to have removed a condom during sex.

The 32-year-old batsman was accused of “stealthing” during sex with a 29-year-old woman at her eastern suburbs home in November last year. He pleaded not guilty to sexual intercourse without consent and faced a four-day trial before Judge Sarah Huggett in Downing Centre District Court.

Delivering a verdict of not guilty on Thursday, the judge said: “The evidence establishes that there was no opportunity for the accused to remove the condom … because that intercourse was continuous.”

Outside court, Gunathilaka told reporters the verdict “says everything”. He thanked his lawyers, manager, parents, and others in Sri Lanka for their support during the “hard time” over the past 11 months.

“Everyone believed me, so that means a lot to me,” he said, adding that he wants to get his reputation back.

“I’m happy that my life is normal again, so I can’t wait to go back and play cricket.”

The trial heard Gunathilaka, also known as Danny, and the woman matched on Tinder on October 29.

On their November 2 date, they had drinks at the Opera Bar, dinner at Frankie’s Pizza, and caught a ferry to the complainant’s home, where Gunathilaka recorded her playing guitar and singing.

“The mood as captured by those videos seemed relaxed, happy, and playful,” the judge said.

The woman alleged Gunathilaka kissed her forcefully and slapped her buttocks on the ferry to her house, and “ambushed” her by pushing her back on the lounge. She accepted under cross-examination she had said “Let’s go to my room” and lit candles “to create a mood”.

The woman claimed Gunathilaka choked her at least three times and slapped her buttocks during forceful intercourse in her bedroom for 10 to 15 minutes.

She said she noticed a condom on her bedroom floor within three to five seconds of the sex ending. The woman alleged Gunathilaka threw it there, but did not see him do it.

Huggett said the complainant came across as intelligent and “did not strike me as a witness motivated by a desire to give deliberately false evidence”.

“However, there were occasions when I formed the impression that some of her evidence had the appearance of being motivated by a desire to paint the accused in an unfavorable light,” she said.

She said it was “hardly surprising” the woman had seen a used condom on the ground afterwards, as “on any account, a used condom was removed”.

“The complainant did not see how or when the condom found its way to the position on the floor.”

Gunathilaka was arrested in the early hours of November 6 in the Hyatt Regency Hotel as the Sri Lanka team left for the airport. He let police search his hotel room, where they found a Burberry satchel bag containing two wrapped condoms.

“That he would wear a condom on occasion is supported by the fact that two unused condoms were located in his property,” the judge said.

Gunathilaka participated in a two-and-a-half hour recorded interview. Asked by police “At any point, did you put your penis into her without a condom on?” Gunathilaka replied, “No, no, no.”

He admitted he had told the woman he did not like to have sex with a condom, and she was the one who got a packet out.

“I never said ‘I want to do it without condoms’, and we did it with condoms,” Gunathilaka said.

The judge said Gunathilaka “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”.

“There is no reason at all to reject or disbelieve what he said in that interview,” Huggett said.

Huggett criticized the way police had dealt with the initial complaint, including taking notes on scraps of paper that made no reference to stealthing and which were destroyed “for no good reason at all”.

“Aspects of the handling of her complaint were far from satisfactory and, to be frank, very concerning,” the judge said.

Gunathilaka’s junior barrister Emma Sullivan told the court she was instructed to apply for costs. The matter will return to court on October 4.

Gunathilaka was suspended from cricket after his arrest. He made his international debut in 2015 and has represented Sri Lanka in more than 100 matches including eight Tests. He travelled to Australia for the T20 World Cup but was ruled out with a hamstring tear after playing one match.

He was granted a judge-alone trial due in part to pre-trial media interest. The proceedings were expedited by consent after the court heard he financially supported his parents with his earnings.

Cricket

Sri Lanka Climbs ICC Test Rankings Despite Tough Competition

Published

5 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Editor

Colombo, Sri Lanka – January 18, 2025: The latest ICC Test Team Rankings have been released, with Sri Lanka securing the 5th position, showcasing their resilience in the longest format of the game. Despite a challenging year, the Lankan Lions have maintained their competitive edge among cricket’s elite nations.

Current ICC Test Rankings (As of January 2025)

1️⃣ South Africa – 12 matches | Win %: 69.44
2️⃣ Australia – 17 matches | Win %: 63.73
3️⃣ India – 19 matches | Win %: 50.00
4️⃣ New Zealand – 14 matches | Win %: 48.21
5️⃣ Sri Lanka – 11 matches | Win %: 45.45
6️⃣ England – 22 matches | Win %: 43.18
7️⃣ Bangladesh – 12 matches | Win %: 31.25
8️⃣ Pakistan – 12 matches | Win %: 24.31
9️⃣ West Indies – 11 matches | Win %: 24.24

Sri Lanka’s Performance in 2024-2025

With 5 wins out of 11 matches, Sri Lanka has demonstrated strong performances in key series, particularly at home. However, close defeats have impacted their standing in the rankings. The team’s recent form indicates a determined squad under experienced leadership, aiming to break into the top four.

Upcoming Test Series for Sri Lanka

🔹 Sri Lanka vs New Zealand – February 2025
🔹 Sri Lanka vs England – April 2025
🔹 Sri Lanka vs Pakistan – July 2025

With crucial matches ahead, Sri Lanka has the opportunity to climb higher in the rankings if they secure significant wins. The cricketing nation eagerly anticipates stronger performances in the coming months.

Football

FFSL Rebrands Division-1 as ‘League-One’ with a Bold New Vision

Published

7 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Editor

Colombo, Sri Lanka – January 11, 2025: The Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) has officially rebranded its prestigious Division-1 competition as “League-One”, signaling a new era for Sri Lankan football. This initiative aims to elevate the sport’s standards and make football more accessible to communities nationwide.

League-One: A New Identity for Sri Lankan Football

The FFSL competition committee unanimously approved the transformation, positioning League-One as the backbone of Sri Lanka’s football development. The rebranding aligns with FFSL’s vision to make football the “People’s Game”, fostering nationwide participation and nurturing emerging talent.

New Format & Features

The 2025 League-One tournament introduces a revamped format featuring 16 teams, strategically divided into four regional groups. Each team will compete in six home-and-away group-stage matches. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super-8 stage, where they will play another round of home-and-away fixtures in two groups.

For the first time in FFSL history, the semi-finals and final will be conducted as two-legged home-and-away matches, adding a fresh layer of excitement to the competition.

Future Growth & Expansion

In a significant development, League-One will expand to 32 teams by 2026, ensuring comprehensive representation from every province.

Incentives & Player Support

FFSL has announced attractive cash prizes to enhance competition:

Champions: LKR 1 million
Runners-up: LKR 500,000

Additionally, FFSL will provide match jerseys and match balls to all participating teams, reinforcing grassroots football development.

President’s Statement

“We are dedicated to making football accessible to every community in Sri Lanka. This year, we are investing significantly in domestic competitions to strengthen football’s foundation and integrate it into our nation’s culture.”

Key Dates

Kickoff: February 8, 2025
Grand Final: June 2025

A New Chapter for Sri Lankan Football

The transformation of Division-1 into League-One marks a pivotal moment in Sri Lanka’s football history. With a new identity, an expanded format, and strategic investments, League-One promises to shape the future of Sri Lankan football.

Stay tuned to Sri Lankan Sports TV for the latest updates, match previews, and exclusive coverage of League-One and Sri Lanka football news.

Football

Erling Haaland Signs Record-Breaking 9.5-Year Contract Extension with Manchester City

Published

8 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Editor

Manchester City has secured the long-term future of their star striker Erling Haaland, who has signed a historic 9.5-year contract extension, keeping him at the Etihad Stadium until 2034. The Premier League champions officially announced the deal on Friday, ensuring the Norwegian goal machine remains an integral part of their squad for the next decade.

Haaland’s previous contract was set to expire in June 2027, but City moved quickly to secure their talisman with a new deal that underlines his importance to the club’s ambitions.

The 24-year-old striker, who joined City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, has been a phenomenal force in English football, netting an astonishing 111 goals in just 126 appearances. His prolific form played a crucial role in Manchester City’s historic treble-winning season in 2022-23, where they clinched the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League titles.

Expressing his delight at the new deal, Haaland stated, “I am really happy to have signed my new contract and to be able to look forward to spending even more time at this great club. Manchester City is a special club, full of fantastic people with amazing supporters, and it’s the type of environment that helps bring the best out of everybody.”

City’s outgoing director of football, Txiki Begiristain, hailed the deal as a statement of intent from both the player and the club. “Everyone at the club is absolutely delighted that Erling has signed his new contract. The fact he is signed for so long demonstrates our commitment to him as a player, and his love of this club. He has made an incredible impact already in his time here, and his amazing numbers and records speak for themselves.”

Haaland’s contract extension marks one of the longest in Premier League history and solidifies City’s ambitions to remain dominant in English and European football for years to come.

Haaland’s Record-Breaking Stats at Manchester City:

Appearances: 126
Goals: 111
Premier League Golden Boots: 1 (2022-23 season)
Trophies Won: Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup

With Haaland committed to the club until 2034, Manchester City fans can expect many more years of record-breaking performances and unforgettable moments from one of the world’s most lethal strikers.