Just hours after Sri Lanka’s loss to England at the SCG on Saturday night sent Australia crashing out of the World Cup, police swooped on the Sri Lankan team hotel on Sussex Street and arrested Gunathilaka shortly before 1am.It is understood the Sri Lanka team was about to board a bus for the airport ahead of their flight home when the arrest was made. It’s alleged a 29-year-old woman had been sexually assaulted at a residence in Rose Bay last week.Gunathilaka has been charged with four counts of sexual assault without consent and refused bail ahead of an appearance at Parramatta Bail Court.Sri Lankan teammates flew home on Sunday morning without the all-rounder Gunathilaka who was injured three weeks ago, but was kept around with the squad.Head of the NSW Police Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad Detective Superintendent Jayne Doherty said the pair was matched on a dating app on October 29.She said they communicated on various platforms including text message, voicemail and video calling for several days before they met up on Wednesday November 2.“They met for prearranged drinks, had something to eat and went back to the woman’s home,” Detective Superintendent Doherty said.It is there that police allege Gunathilaka sexually assaulted the woman four times over a number of hours.“The woman had taken all precautions, she met in a public place, it was just unfortunate,” Detective Superintendent Doherty said.Police said the pair was “matched” online, and that the alleged victim did not recognise Gunathilaka initially.Earlier, NSW Police from the State Crime Command’s Sex Crimes Squad and the Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command under Strike Force Veteran released a statement.“The woman met with the man after communicating with him for a number of days via an online dating application; it’s alleged he then sexually assaulted her on the evening of Wednesday 2 November 2022,” NSW Police said in a press release statement.“As part of ongoing investigations, a crime scene examination was undertaken by specialist police at an address in Rose Bay yesterday.“Following further inquiries, a 31-year-old man was arrested at a hotel on Sussex Street, Sydney, shortly before 1am today (Sunday 6 November).“He was taken to Sydney City Police Station and charged with four counts of sexual intercourse without consent.“The Sri Lankan national was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court via AVL today.”Gunathilaka has played eight Tests, 47 one day internationals and 46 T20 internationals for Sri Lanka and played in this year’s World Cup in games against Namibia and Zimbabwe before getting injured.
