Srilanka Cricket lifts suspension imposed on 3 cricketers

Colombo: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Friday lifted the one-year suspension imposed on three players across all three formats with immediate effect.

The board had handed a one-year ban to the trio of Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka and Niroshan Dickwella for breaching the bio-secure bubble on the tour of the UK in July 2021.

In a statement, the Sri Lanka Cricket said the decision was taken following a request made by the three players to lift the ban imposed on them, pursuant to the conclusion of the 2021 Lanka Premier League.

Mendis, Gunathilaka and Dickwella will be able to play domestic cricket with immediate effect. They will also be available for national selection, subject to complying with mandatory fitness standards.

The board, however, stressed that lifted suspension will remain suspended for a period of two years, during which the three players’ conduct will be closely monitored by the SLC.

"Based on such request, Sri Lanka Cricket obtained a report from the doctor, appointed by SLC to provide counseling for the 3 players during their period of suspension," said SLC.

"Upon consideration of the said report submitted by the doctor, the Executive Committee of the SLC decided at a meeting held today (January 7, 2022) to remove the suspension of the said three players."(UNI)