Niroshan Dickwella slapped with 3-year ban after failing doping test

Sri Lanka wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella has been slapped with a three-year ban for failing a doping test, according to a report on Sundaytimes.lk. The 31-year-old tested positive for cocaine during the Lanka Premier League (2024), where he captained Galle Marvels and led them to the final. 

The test was conducted by the Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA) on July 14. The three-member disciplinary panel comprising President’s Counsel Uditha Egalahewa, Prof. Rohini Fernandopulle, and Dr. Nimal Herath Gunaratne reached their conclusion after thorough deliberation handed the ban, which is effective from August 13, 2024. They have also notified Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) of their decision.

Dickwella is believed to have opted out of requesting a B-Sample, which means that he has accepted consuming the banned substance. SLC had banned him in August for an anti-doping rule violation.

This is not the first doping controversy to rock Sri Lanka. In 2011, Upul Tharanga was banned for three months for consuming a banned substance, while Kusal Perera was able to overturn doping allegations in 2015. 

For Dickwella, who has played 54 Tests, 55 One-Day Internationals (ODI) and 28 T20 Internationals (T20I), this is not the first ban he has received. Three years ago, during Sri Lanka's tour of England, Dickwella along with Kusal Mendis and Danushka Gunathilaka were handed a one-year ban for breaching Covid protocols put in place. However, the punishment was reduced to six months after appeal.

Dickwella last played for Sri Lanka in 2023 against New Zealand in a Test match in Christchurch.

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