his preference generally was to not use condoms but wanted to on the night because it was their first meeting.
In the interview, the cricketer made mention of there being two condoms because one malfunctioned — which the Crown said was a deliberate mistruth.
But Judge Huggett disagreed, finding that his answers were the result of “confusion, fatigue, a language barrier and possibly memory”.
“I formed the distinct impression he was doing his best to be truthful and assist the police,” she said.
Sitting in the interview room, Mr Gunathilaka told police the woman had organised him a taxi and he kissed her before leaving.
“She didn’t even text me, I didn’t text her also,” he said.
“And that’s it, then I’m here.”
Mr Gunathilaka has been in Australia on bail since mid-November.
Outside court, Mr Gunathilaka said the verdict “says everything” and that his reputation had been restored.
He thanked his lawyers, manager, as well as friends and family back in Sri Lanka, saying “everyone believed me, so that means a lot to me”.
“I’m happy that my life is normal again, so I can’t wait to go back and play cricket,” he said.
Mr Gunathilaka said the last eleven months have been “really hard”, particularly being in Australia without his parents.
Source: ABC News