The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) suspended the experienced wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella indefinitely after a doping violation on Friday, August 16. Niroshan failed a doping test in the recently concluded Lanka Premier League 2024 (LPL) and has been suspended from all forms of cricket until further notice.
The 31-year-old cricketer last played an international game in a Test match against New Zealand in March 2023. He was part of the T20I series against Bangladesh earlier this year but failed to make an appearance. Niroshan captained Galle Marvels in the recent LPL 2024 and led them to the finals where they lost against Jaffna Kings.
The SLC confirmed that the veteran wicketkeeper failed a doping test conducted by the Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA). The SLC in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and SLADA, is regularly conducting random tests in domestic tournaments to maintain the integrity of the sport.
"The suspension is effective immediately and will remain in place until further notice," the SLC media release said. "The test, which was conducted by the Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA) during the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024, is part of SLC's ongoing commitment to maintaining the integrity of the sport.
"This initiative, undertaken in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) guidelines, is aimed at ensuring that cricket remains free from the influence of prohibited substances. SLC, together with the Ministry of Sports and SLADA, conducts these tests during domestic tournaments randomly to safeguard the sport against anti-doping violations."
The Kandy-born cricketer made his debut for the senior team in July 2014 and scored 4,841 runs in 137 international matches with the help of two centuries and 32 fifties. Notably, the SLC had previously suspended Dickwella for a bio-security breach during the England tour in 2021.
