They will not be allowed to play domestic cricket for six months, ruling them out for much of the next season
Kusal Mendis and Danushka Gunathilaka have been handed the same sanctions as Niroshan Dickwella, who has no prior disciplinary breaches to his name
In addition, they will be in probation for two further years, during which another year’s suspension will hang over their heads. SLC has mandated counselling with a doctor recommended by the board as well.
Despite Gunathilaka having served two previous suspensions, and although Mendis had caused the death of a pedestrian while driving last year, the board has opted to hand them the same sentence as the one imposed on Dickwella, who had no prior disciplinary breaches. Although the international suspensions are shorter than the inquirers had recommended, the fines are understood to be twice what were suggested.
The three players are being dealt with this harshly partly because of the public backlash against their actions. Had it not been for footage, captured by members of the public and posted on social media, Sri Lanka’s medical staff may not have been aware that these players even left the team hotel and breached the bio-bubble on June 27.
They will be a significant loss to the national team, however. Dickwella was the Test team’s No. 1 wicketkeeper, and was on the fringes of the limited-overs teams. Gunathilaka was one of Sri Lanka’s white-ball openers, while Kusal Mendis was finding his way back into the national teams following a patch of lean form.
The suspensions do not necessarily have to be career-ending for the three players. Gunathilaka will be 31 before he is eligible to play for Sri Lanka again. Dickwella will be 29, and Mendis 27.
In addition to breaching the bubble, the cricketers were found guilty of violating the team’s curfew, which was 10:30pm, and “bringing disrepute to Sri Lanka Cricket and the country”.
Andrew Fidel Fernando is ESPNcricinfo’s Sri Lanka correspondent. @afidelf
Source: ESPN Crickinfo