Dickwella, Mendis, and Gunathilaka are banned from all cricket for one year

Dickwella, Mendis
Easwaran Rutnam/ Twitter

Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, and Niroshan Dickwella are banned from all forms of international cricket for one year and six months from domestic cricket for breaching Covid-19 protocols during their tour against England last month, Sri Lanka Cricket announced on Friday.

Sri Lankan opener, Danushka Gunathilaka, Vice-Captain, Kusal Mendis, and Wicketkeeper, Niroshan Dickwella, was suspended from international cricket for one year and six months from domestic cricket and also fined 10 million Sri Lankan Rupees.

During a tour of England, Trio was breaking Covid-19 restrictions by leaving the bio-secure bubble. The national board said the trio were sent home from the tour on June 28, had brought

“disrepute to Sri Lanka Cricket and the country.”

Sri Lanka’s team medical staff may not have been aware that these players left the hotel and leaving the bio-secure bubble.

The trio will also miss the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup which will be held in UAE and Oman in October.

Gunathilaka has been captured several times in the past and also suspended for misconduct in 2017.

Kusal Mendis was arrested in July 2020 after his vehicle hit a 64-year-old man who was traveling on a bicycle, killing the latter.

“The Executive Committee of SLC, at its meeting held today, has given due consideration to the recommendations of the panel of inquiry, and in further consideration of the impact to the individual players, and their contribution to the national team, have decided unanimously to impose the following measures on the said, three players:

A fine of Sri Lanka Rupees 10 Million for each player. A one-year ban from all forms of international cricket and a six months ban from domestic cricket.

Upon completion of the said one-year ban, each player will be subjected to a further ban of one year from playing international cricket which will be suspended for a period of two years.

Mandatory counselling under a doctor recommended by the board,”

SLC’s release said.

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