Sri Lankan star Danushka Gunathilaka arrested and charged over alleged sexual assault of woman

Sri Lankan cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka has been arrested and charged with the alleged rape of an Australian woman.

Gunathilaka was escorted by police from the Sri Lankan team hotel on Sussex Street in Sydney before 1am on Sunday.

Police allege he sexually assaulted a 29-year-old woman at a Rose Bay home last week and has been charged with four rapes.

His teammates flew home hours later on Sunday after losing at England’s SCG on Saturday’s T20 World Cup.

Sri Lankan cricket star Danushka Gunathilaka has been arrested and charged for allegedly assaulting an Australian woman

Gunathilaka (pictured, playing for Sri Lanka in 2019) was escorted by police from the Sri Lankan team hotel on Sussex Street, Sydney, before 1am on Sunday.

He was denied bail and was due to appear in Parramatta Bail Court on Sunday.

NSW police confirmed that a Sri Lankan national had been arrested and claimed the couple met on a dating app.

“The woman met the man after communicating with him through an online dating application for several days; he allegedly then sexually assaulted her on the evening of November 2,” the police said.

“As part of an ongoing investigation, a crime scene was investigated yesterday by specialized police at an address in Rose Bay.

Following further investigation, a 31-year-old man was arrested shortly before 1am today at a hotel on Sussex Street, Sydney.

He was taken to Sydney City Police Station and charged with four counts of sexual intercourse without consent.

NSW police confirmed that a Sri Lankan national had been arrested and claimed the couple met on a dating app

Gunathilaka was injured three weeks ago and did not play for Sri Lanka in the league but stayed with the team on their tour

“The Sri Lankan national has been released on bail today via AVL to appear at Parramatta Bail Court.”

NSW Sex Crimes Squad Commander Jayne Doherty said the woman took many steps to ensure her safety, including communicating with the man for several days before meeting and going on a date in a public place.

‘It was just a shame. It has nothing to do with meeting on a dating app or anything,” she said.

Gunathilaka was injured three weeks ago and did not play for Sri Lanka in the league but stayed with the team on their tour.

Sri Lanka would not have progressed in the T20 even if it had beaten England on Saturday.

The team lost a blistering start of 52-1 in five overs before finishing in a disappointing 141-8.

England will face the Group 2 winner next Thursday in the semi-final in Adelaide.

NSW police confirmed that a Sri Lankan national had been arrested and claimed the couple met on a dating app

New Zealand will play second place in Group 2 at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday.

“We’re going there (Adelaide) and looking forward to whoever we play in what is one of the best stadiums in the world,” Buttler said.

Lead-off hitter Pathum Nissanka braved the pain of his sprained ankle and made 67 before England struck back via the spinners.

Adil Rashid was 1-16 and fast bowler Mark Wood took 3-26 after being knocked out by Nissanka in his first over for two sixes.

England sank Sri Lanka in the death overs when Nissanka went out too long in the 16th overs and Wood claimed three wickets in his return, leaving the Islanders to score just 25 in the last five overs.