Cricket: International ban on Mendis, Dickwella and Gunathilaka lifted

The one year international ban imposed on Kusal Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella and Danushka Gunathilaka has been lifted with immediate effect according to a well informed source of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

The three national cricketers, appealed against the ban but the SLC stood firm on the international suspension though they were allowed to resume cricket at domestic level before the period of six months. 

Dickwella appeared for Dambulla Giants in the second edition of Lanka Premier League while Mendis and Gunathilaka were opening partners for losing finalists Galle Gladiators. 

The lift from international ban comes suddenly with the Sri Lanka white-ball team's heavy calendar, which begins with the upcoming Zimbabwe tour to Sri Lanka, followed by the tour to Australia and the sudden decision by a few well known national players -- Bhanuka Rakapaksa and Angelo Perera -- to retire from national commitments. 

In addition, with a few players being tested positive for COVID-19 and few injuries hampering Sri Lanka's plans, it is learned that SLC's selection panel have turned the focus on the three players, who were banned. 

Mendis, Dickwella and Gunathilaka were banned by SLC for a period of one year from international cricket from July 2021, and were fined Rs. One Million each, for breaching the Sri Lanka team's bio security bubble during the tour to England.

In addition the trio were put on a probation of further two years upon a recommendation by an independent panel, that was commissioned to inquire on the incident. 

The panel found the three national cricketers guilty for breaching the bio security bubble during Sri Lanka's white-ball series in England and recommended with bans of two years for Mendis and Gunathilaka and 18 months for Dickwella in addition to a fine of US$ 25,000 each.

But the Executive Committee of SLC imposed a fine of Rs. One Million each with bans -- one year from international and six months from domestic cricket.