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Journalism of Courage
This is an archive article published on February 23, 2023
Sydney court allows rape accused SL cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka to use Whatsapp, revokes overnight curfew
It was on November 6 that the 31-year-old was arrested on Sussex Street after a 29-year-old woman had accused him of sexual assault after they matched on Tinder.
The cricketer was presented in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday, where his defence barrister Emma Sullivan applied for two variations in the 31-year-old’s bail. (FILE)
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Sydney court allows rape accused SL cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka to use Whatsapp, revokes overnight curfew
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Sri Lankan cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka, who was accused of sexual assault has now been allowed to use Whatsapp and the overnight curfew imposed on him by the court has also been relaxed, as per The Chronicle.
It was on November 6 that the 31-year-old was arrested on Sussex Street after a 29-year-old woman had accused him of sexual assault after they matched on Tinder.
The cricketer was charged with four counts of sexual intercourse without consent and was refused bail in the Local Court on November 7, 2022.
According to The Chronicle, the cricketer was presented in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday, where his defence barrister Emma Sullivan applied for two variations in the 31-year-old’s bail.
The first condition involved the court allowing Gunathilaka to use WhatsApp which was earlier denied by Magistrate Jennifer Atkinson. However, he is still not allowed to use any dating or social media applications.
As per the report, the defence barrister also urged the court to revoke the overnight curfew and enforcement conditions after police attended Gunathilaka’s home at 2 am. While opposing the variation, DPP solicitor George Rixon said that it should be in place in order to “mitigate the risks” for further offences.
“The accused’s aggressive sexual behaviour is of concern,” he said.
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Danushka Gunathilaka was granted leave to move into a one-bedroom apartment in Sydney’s inner west before Christmas last year. He previously surrendered his passport and has been ordered not to approach any international departure point as a provision of his bail.
The Sri Lankan national was ordered to report to police every day and abide by a nightly curfew.
Mr Gunathilaka’s bail was backed by a $150,000 surety provided by a “friend of a friend” and a further $50,000 provided by the cricketer.
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