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Sri Lanka cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka’s sexual assault case has hit a new roadblock as Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is struggling to raise a second bail deposit of Australian 200,000 dollars, according to reports. The monetary sum has to be submitted to a magistrate court early next week to appeal for bail once again, as per the Daily Mirror.
SLC officials have already requested donations from certain individuals and Gunathilaka’s teammate and all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga has reportedly given a massive amount to help in the filing procedure of the bail application next week.
Once the money is acquired, it will be submitted as a bail deposit. This will allow the SLC to appeal for bail to the Magistrate Court. The main case will then be taken up on January 12. SLC last week hired a new lawyer for the case in the Australian Court. Gunathilaka’s lawyers said the cricketer is innocent of all charges of sexual assault.
Gunathilaka's lawyers SANS Law Associates issued a brief statement, that said: "Danushka Gunathilaka maintains his innocence of all charges. Given the early stages of proceedings, we do not wish to make any further comment and will allow for the matter to be properly ventilated before the Court."
Going back to Sri Lanka Cricket, the board isn’t contractually responsible to cover Danushka Gunathilaka’s legal fees but has taken this step voluntarily. As per ESPN cricinfo , SLC CEO Ashley de Silva opted for paying for the legal proceedings as Gunathilaka’s incident took place as he was present with the team in an official capacity.
"This wasn't a private visit," de Silva said. "He was with the team in an official capacity, so we felt we should pay the legal fees, on the condition that we can recover them from him later, whatever the results of the case.” The SLC will recover the money spent directly from Gunathilaka or by docking payments the board owes him.