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

41-year-old Asanka Mathew Podiappuhamilage appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday with an interpreter and two supporters as a criminal case has been filed.

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

The Australian Federal Police will charge Mr Podiappuhamilage with “indecent assault” on board the plane.

He has been charged with indecent assault, an offence that carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison if convicted.

Mr Podiappuhamilage made his first court appearance a day after being granted bail on strict conditions.

This includes surrendering his passport, not leaving the state or country, reporting to a police station three times a week and living under a house curfew.

Mr Podiappuhamilage’s lawyer asked the court to vary his bail and allow him to travel to an address in Glen Waverley where he lives alone, a request that was not opposed by barrister Natasha Ferreira.

Ms Ferreira told Magistrate Andrew Waters that the AFP would present evidence, including CCTV footage, in Mr Podiappuhamilage’s defence by January 30.

Mr Podiappuhamilage is due to appear in court in mid-March.

AFP Detective Superintendent Stephen Cook said in a statement that all travellers have the right to feel safe when travelling by air.

“When passing through an airport and boarding a plane, people are bound by Australian law,” he said.

“AFP is committed to supporting airport staff and airline partners and will continue to protect travelers by maintaining zero tolerance for inappropriate behavior.”