Start of domestic season could see return of banned cricketers

• SLC Management Committee takes decision 

Sri Lanka Cricket’s (SLC) Management Committee yesterday decided that the three banned cricketers – Kusal Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella and Danushka Gunathilaka – can return to play domestic cricket after they pay the fine imposed on them and provided they get a good report from the mandatory counselling they are currently undergoing.

Mendis, Dickwella and Gunathilaka were found guilty of breaching the COVID-19 team bubble on Sunday night (27 June), wandering on the streets of Durham city during Sri Lanka’s cricket tour to England. Following an inquiry into the incident, the three players were subsequently punished by SLC.

The three players received a one-year ban from international cricket and a six-month ban from domestic cricket apart from being fined Rs. 10 million each and a one-year suspended ban from international cricket for a period of two years by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). They were also directed to mandatory counselling under a doctor recommended by SLC.

Since the sentence the trio had appealed against their suspension to SLC, and yesterday, the Management Committee took a decision that if they pay the fine of Rs. 10 million each and get a good report from the doctor conducting the counselling – Dr. Chamara Wijesinghe - Consultant Psychiatrist at Nawaloka Hospital – they would be allowed to play in the domestic circuit.

“We have recovered about 25% of the fine from the monies due from them, but other than that, they have not paid the entire fine,” said SLC Secretary Mohan de Silva. 

“The cricketers have been going for counselling and initial reports have been quite favourable.”

The commencement of the 2021-22 domestic season on 27 October, when the Major Limited-Over tournament is scheduled to take place, could see the return of these three banned players to competitive cricket. 

– (ST)