SLC's disciplinary committee rules Sri Lanka trio guilty for Durham bio-bubble breach, recommends two-year ban

The Sri Lanka cricketers Kusal Mendis and Danushka Gunathilaka, have found themselves in a major trouble as a long ban has been recommended on the players. According to sources, a fine of US$ 25,000 and a ban of as long as a year from all the forms of cricket is recommended for the two players for breaching the bio-secure bubble while on the England tour. On the other hand, Niroshan Dickwella is likely to face a long suspension from all forms of the game along with a fine of US$ 25,000.

A five-member committee which includes Justice Nimal Dissanayaka (Retired Judge of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka), Panduka Keerthinanda, (Attorney-at-Law), Asela Rekawa (Attorney-at-Law), Uchitha Wickremasinghe (Attorney-at-Law), and Major General (Retired) M. R. W. De Zoysa took this decision. The panel was set up to conduct the disciplinary action about the incident and now their decision is awaited to be approved by the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Executive Committee.

The Sri Lanka Cricket Board was expected to start the hearing about this matter against the cricketers on Thursday, July 29. The vice-captain of Sri Lanka Kusal Mendis, wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella and Danushka Gunathilaka were found guilty of breaching the bio-bubble protocols while on the tour.

The Sri Lanka players had breached the Covid-19 restrictions on the England tour

Cricket is played under strict bio-secure environments owing to the uncertainties of the pandemic. However, if a player breaches the restrictions it poses threat to the entire team and the series as a whole. The videos and images of the players not adhering to the bio-secure bubble protocols had previously gone viral.  The three Sri Lanka cricketers were seen roaming in a local market in Durham and were filmed by a local. The videos surfed all over social media and the players had to face a lot of criticism for their irresponsible acts.

Now, the decision of their inquiry will decide the future of the three Sri Lankan cricketers. The team had a disappointing series in England. They were whitewashed by the hosts in the ODI series and also lost the T20Is. Their performances on the tour had brought them under major scrutiny.