Sri Lankan Cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka Requests Trial Without Jury In Sydney Rape Case

Published - 07 Jul 2023, 01:28 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:15 AM

Danushka Gunathilaka
Danushka Gunathilaka (Image Credits: Twitter)

Sri Lanka cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka, who is accused of sexually assaulting a woman in Sydney, has revealed his intention to avoid a trial by jury. Danushka Gunathilaka pleaded not guilty to a charge of sexual intercourse without consent.

Danushka Gunathilaka is facing a charge of sexual intercourse without consent in Sydney. Three other rape charges against him were withdrawn by the NSW Police. The alleged incident occurred during his visit to Sydney for the T20 World Cup on November 2.

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Danushka Gunathilaka Requests Trial Without Jury

During a court appearance at the Downing Centre District Court in Sydney, Danushka Gunathilaka’s lawyer, Sara Black, requested an adjournment of the arraignment. The request was made in order to allow sufficient time for the preparation of an application for a judge-alone trial.

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“The situation is there is an application for a judge-alone trial which will be filed in court,” Ms Black said.

“The Crown is not in a position to consent to the application at this time.”

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Crown prosecutors have indicated that they will challenge the application for a judge-alone trial during the hearing scheduled for July 24. It was mentioned in court that the Crown prosecutor is expected to oppose the application before the hearing takes place.

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Police have alleged that the cricketer met a 29-year-old woman at Sydney’s Opera Bar after connecting on the dating app Tinder. According to the allegations, Gunathilaka allegedly choked and sexually assaulted her without using a condom in her residence in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

“He put one hand around her neck for 20 to 30 seconds and choked her. The complainant was too afraid to do anything,” the police facts claim, alleging he had choked her twice more.

Danushka Gunathilaka, who has represented the nation in all three formats, has been suspended by Sri Lanka Cricket from all forms of the game. The Southpaw made his international debut in 2015 and went on to play eight Tests, 47 ODIs, and 46 T20Is for his country.

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