Sri Lanka Cricket Board hands Niroshan Dickwella indefinite suspension for doping violation

Sri Lankan wicket-keeper batter Niroshan Dickwella has been slapped with an indefinite suspension from the game. The 31-year-old player allegedly failed a doping test conducted by the Sri Lankan cricket board during the latest edition of the Lanka Premier League. In their official statement, the SLC explained that the cricketer will be suspended from all forms of the game until further notice. The test, conducted during the recently concluded Lanka Premier League, was carried out by the Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA) in line with the World Anti-Doping guidelines laid down by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

It will remain in place until further notice, says SLC over the suspension of Niroshan Dickwella

The Lankan cricket board explained that the doping test was conducted to reinforce their commitment to maintaining the integrity of the sport. For 31-year-old Dickwella, this latest suspension marks his second disciplinary breach. The wicket-keeper batter was previously one of three Lankan players banned for breaching bio-bubble rules in 2021. This time, SLC explained that these tests are conducted at the domestic level to ensure that prohibited substances are absent from the circuit.

"The suspension is effective immediately and will remain in place until further notice," stated the SLC media release. "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," it explained further.

"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. SLC, together with the Ministry of Sports and SLADA, conducts these tests randomly during domestic tournaments to safeguard the sport against anti-doping violations."

Niroshan Dickwella has been suspended by the SLC due to anti-doping violation in LPL. pic.twitter.com/3da8QfLLCC

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) August 16, 2024

Niroshan Dickwella captained the Galle Marvels in LPL 2024. Furthermore, the batter last appeared in the national side back in March 2023 before earning a call-up for Sri Lanka’s T20I series against Bangladesh earlier this year. However, the 31-year-old failed to secure a place in the Playing XI for Sri Lanka. Dickwella has played 137 matches across formats, scoring 2,757, 1,604, and 480 runs in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, respectively.