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

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2 years ago

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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.

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Football

Sri Lanka U19 Football Team Crashes Out of SAFF Championship with Embarrassing Defeats

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7 hours ago

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May 11, 2025

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Sri Lanka’s U19 football team suffered a humiliating exit from the SAFF U19 Championship 2025 after being routed 5-0 by Nepal in their second group stage match, just days after a crushing 8-0 defeat against India. With 13 goals conceded in two matches and none scored, the team’s dismal campaign has raised serious concerns over the Football Federation of Sri Lanka’s (FFSL) preparation and technical planning.

Goals Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1ZXQmc7qJL

The back-to-back heavy losses reflect more than just poor on-field performance — they expose a deeper structural failure in Sri Lanka’s football development system. The decision to hurriedly assemble the squad and include overseas-based Sri Lankan-origin players may have been well-intentioned, but it turned out to be a superficial fix — akin to placing icing on an unbaked cake.

Despite individual talent and moments of athleticism, the team lacked cohesion, tactical discipline, and fitness — a direct result of inadequate preparation and the absence of a proper long-term youth development strategy.

This tournament has made it abundantly clear that international match exposure alone cannot bridge the technical and developmental gaps in Sri Lankan football. Grassroots investment, school-level competitions, proper coaching structures, and continuous player development pathways are urgently needed if Sri Lanka is to be competitive at regional or international levels.

It is time the FFSL technical department, its President, and Executive Committee move beyond media optics and press conferences and instead focus on real football development. Structural reforms, professional planning, and technical consistency must replace ad-hoc preparations and cosmetic fixes.

Sri Lanka’s early exit should serve as a wake-up call: the future of Sri Lankan football depends not on imported talent but on nurturing homegrown players through sustained and systematic development.

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Football

India Crushes Sri Lanka 8-0 in SAFF U-19 Championship Opener: A Wake-Up Call for Football Authorities

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2 days ago

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May 9, 2025

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Sri Lanka’s U-19 football team suffered a devastating 8-0 defeat at the hands of India in their opening match of the SAFF U-19 Championship 2025 held at the Golden Jubilee Stadium in Arunachal Pradesh, India.

From the opening whistle, Sri Lanka appeared unprepared and disorganized, allowing India to dominate every aspect of the match. The scoreline, split evenly with four goals in each half, highlights the defensive collapse and tactical shortcomings of the Lankan side.

India’s Danny Meitei Laishram netted a hat-trick, while Prashan Jajo added a brace, showcasing the stark contrast in quality and preparation between the two teams. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, failed to register any meaningful threat on goal throughout the match.

This humiliating loss raises serious concerns about the strategic planning and readiness of the national youth setup. Despite months to prepare for the tournament, the team lacked structure, fitness, and cohesion—fundamental aspects of international football. The technical team must face questions about the lack of competitive match exposure, tactical discipline, and defensive organization.

Moreover, the physical conditioning of the squad appeared subpar, and substitutions made during the game had minimal impact. The repeated lapses in positioning, marking, and pressing made it clear that the squad was outclassed not just physically but mentally and tactically.

This result must serve as a wake-up call for the Football Federation of Sri Lanka. Talent alone will not bridge the growing gulf between Sri Lanka and regional rivals unless it’s paired with structured development, professional coaching, and consistent investment in youth football.

Sri Lanka must now regroup quickly as they face Nepal U-19 in their next group match on May 11. The path to redemption begins with accountability—and urgent change.

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Cricket

IPL Temporarily Suspended, PSL Relocated Amid Rising Tensions Between India and Pakistan

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2 days ago

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May 9, 2025

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In a major development impacting global cricket, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been temporarily suspended for a week, while the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has been moved to the UAE due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.

The decision by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to pause the IPL was announced on Friday, following heightened military activity along the border in the Kashmir region. The situation has raised significant safety concerns, leading to a precautionary suspension of one of the world’s most-watched sporting events.

“The well-being of players, officials, and fans is paramount. The resumption schedule will be shared after reviewing the evolving situation,” the BCCI said, emphasizing national security as the overriding concern.

This year’s IPL season, which began in March, still had 12 group-stage fixtures remaining before the playoffs. The final, initially scheduled for May 25 in Kolkata, may now face delays or venue changes.

The recent blackout during the match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamshala, along with the closure of several airports in northern India, further complicated logistics. Punjab’s upcoming match against Mumbai Indians has already been shifted from Dharamshala to Mumbai as a precautionary measure.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed the relocation of the remainder of the PSL season to Dubai. This move follows increased concerns from foreign players and support staff about their safety.

An incident involving a drone crash near the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium just hours before a scheduled PSL match has heightened security concerns. The match was to feature several international stars from countries including Australia, England, South Africa, and the West Indies.

The ongoing crisis has put the cricketing world on alert, with both cricket boards closely monitoring the geopolitical situation. While cricket holds a significant place in both nations’ cultures, current developments have shifted priorities toward safety and stability.

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