Asanka Podiappuhamilage: Sri Lankan national accused of sexually assaulting woman on flight to Australia

A man accused of sexually assaulting a woman aboard an international flight has been banned from leaving the country while his court case is underway.

Asanka Mathew Podiappuhamilage, 41, appeared alongside an interpreter and two supporters in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday as a criminal case was filed.

The Sri Lankan national was arrested at Melbourne Airport on December 18 after a passenger complained to airline staff on a flight from Mr Podiappuhamilage’s home country to Australia.

Australian Federal Police will allege Mr Podiappuhamilage “committed an act of indecency” while in the air.

He is charged with one count of an act of indecency, an offence that carries a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment if convicted.

Mr Podiappuhamilage first appeared in court a day after the alleged incident where he was granted bail on strict conditions.

These include surrendering his passport, not leaving the state or country, reporting to a police station three times a week and living under a home curfew.

His lawyer asked the court to vary Mr Podiappuhamilage’s bail and allow him to move to an address in Glen Waverley, where he will live alone, a request that was not opposed by prosecutor Natasha Ferreira.

Ms Ferreria told magistrate Andrew Waters that the AFP would serve the brief of evidence, which would include CCTV footage, on Mr Podiappuhamilage’s defence by January 30.

Mr Podiappuhamilage will next appear in court in mid-March.

In a statement, AFP Detective Superintendent Stephen Cook said all travellers had a right to feel safe while travelling by air.

“When travelling through the airport and when on a plane, people are bound by Australian law,” he said.

“The AFP is committed to supporting airport staff and aviation partners and will continue to protect travellers while maintaining zero tolerance for inappropriate behaviour.”