Sri Lanka Cricket Bans 3 Players For A Year For Breaching COVID-19 Protocols During UK Tour

Sri Lanka Cricket handed a one-year ban to Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka and Niroshan Dickwella for breaching COVID-19 protocols.

Sri Lanka's cricket board on Friday banned three top players for one year for breaking Covid-19 restrictions by leaving their bio-secure hotel during a tour of England. The lengthy bans and $50,000 fines were ordered after vice captain Kusal Mendis, opener Danushka Gunathilaka and wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella were seen in viral social media videos on a night out in Durham the day before a one-day international against England. The national board said the trio, who were sent home from the tour on June 28, had brought "disrepute to Sri Lanka Cricket and the country." The board ordered a two-year ban against all three, but one year was suspended. They will be on probation for two years once their ban is served. A five-member independent disciplinary panel on Thursday found the three guilty of violating health regulations and leaving their hotel in Durham. The trio were found guilty of "breaching Covid-19 safety guidelines, instruction sand regulations of the team management and... putting into jeopardy the safety of said players, fellow team members and others."