Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) suspended Kusal Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, and Danushka Gunathilaka for breaching the bio-bubble in England. They have been sent home with ‘immediate effect’ from England tour.
All three players came under scrutiny after a 30-second video went viral on social media showing Dickwella and Mendis sitting in a public place without face masks in Durham on Sunday (27 June) night. Gunathilaka was not seen there, but is reported to have stepped out with them.
Following the incident, Manuja Kariyapperuma, the Sri Lanka Men’s team manager, announced that they launched an enquiry against them. Soon afterwards, the trio pleaded guilty before flying back home.
‘The players had been told categorically that they were not allowed to go towards Durham’s City Centre, but that is exactly where the trio have admitted to have gone,’ an SLC official told IANS.
SLC vice-president Mohan de Silva confirmed their suspension to ESPNCricinfo: ‘The players have been suspended pending a full inquiry, but have confessed to having gone out. They are being recalled from the tour with immediate effect.’
Gunathilaka had been suspended by SLC twice before, for bad behaviour during training in 2017, and for violation of curfew during a Test match in 2018.
After a 0-3 T20I series defeat, Sri Lanka will play three-match ODI series, starting 29 June at Chester-le-Street.