Five-member panel recommends Gunathilaka and Mendis be suspended for two years; Dickwella for 18 months
Niroshan Dickwella and Kusal Mendis are two of the three cricketers to be penalised
Sri Lanka Cricket’s executive committee is due to meet on Friday to discuss the inquiry committee’s report, after which the players’ punishments will be finalised. It seems likely that suspensions will be handed out to all three. According to two board officials, though, it is not yet certain whether the board will be as harsh as the inquirers have suggested.
“It’s a very eminent committee that has made these recommendations – a committee that has a former Supreme Court judge – so we will have to take it very seriously,” SLC secretary Mohan de Silva told ESPNcricinfo. “But we will be taking the matter up for discussion at the executive committee meeting on Friday.”
De Silva did not rule out the possibility the board will consult further with the players involved, or team management, before the final decision on punishments is reached.
Dickwella has not previously drawn official SLC disciplinary charges, nor had he been arrested, as Mendis was after the accident.
Although SLC has not officially handed out any suspensions yet, Sri Lanka’s coaching staff has intimated they are not expecting any of these three players will be available for the T20 World Cup this year.
Andrew Fidel Fernando is ESPNcricinfo’s Sri Lanka correspondent. @afidelf
Source: ESPN Crickinfo