Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella has been suspended by the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) “until further notice” due to a doping violation. Notably, the Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA) conducted the test following allegations of an anti-doping violation during the recently concluded 2024 Lanka Premier League (LPL) where he captained Galle Marvels.
The SLC, on Friday, August 16, announced that Dickwella was suspended with immediate effect, with the alleged breach occurring during the T20 event. It is understood that the 31-year-old has not complied with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
“The suspension is effective immediately and will remain in place until further notice. The test, which was conducted by the Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA) during the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024, is part of SLC’s ongoing commitment to maintaining the integrity of the sport,” SLC said in an official statement.
“This initiative, undertaken in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) guidelines, is aimed at ensuring that cricket remains free from the influence of prohibited substances,” the statement added.
It is worth noting that Dickwella had been previously suspended by SLC in 2021. The 31-year-old along with fellow teammates Kusal Mendis and Danushka Gunathilaka was charged a one-year ban for breaching the COVID-19 protocol. Notably, the trio was captured on video on the streets of Durham, England, during Sri Lanka‘s limited-overs series, which was a violation of the bio-bubble restrictions. Subsequently, they were sent home midway through the tour, suspended, and fined 10 million rupees.
At that time, SLC imposed a one-year suspension from international cricket and a six-month ban from domestic cricket. Moreover, the board has also issued a one-year sentence, which would be activated if they committed another breach within two years.
Dickwella represented Sri Lanka as a wicketkeeper-batter in all three formats. He last played for Sri Lanka in a Test series against New Zealand in Christchurch in March 2023. He has so far played 54 Tests, scoring 2,757 runs at an average of 30.97. Meanwhile, he represented Sri Lanka in 55 ODIs, amassing 1,604 runs at 31.45 and 28 T20Is, scoring 480 runs at 18.14.
In addition, representing Galle Marvels in the LPL 2024, he struggled with the bat, managing only 184 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 153.33. Despite his lackluster performance, he guided Marvels to the final. Unfortunately, they suffered a heartbreak after being outplayed by Jaffna Kings in the summit clash.
