Sri Lankan cricketer Niroshan Dickwella’s three-year ban for an alleged anti-doping violation has been significantly reduced to three months following a successful appeal.
The 31-year-old wicketkeeper-batter was initially handed a three-year suspension after testing positive for cocaine during a doping test conducted by the Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA) on July 14. The incident was linked to the Lanka Premier League (LPL) T20 tournament, where Dickwella’s team lost to the Jaffna Kings in the final.
Following the positive result, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and his domestic club, Nondescripts Cricket Club (NCC), suspended him from all forms of cricket.
Champions Trophy in Doubt: Sri Lanka A Pull Out Amid Pakistan’s Political Turmoil
However, an appeal panel led by retired judge Upali Samaraweera, along with Prof. Asela Mendis and Gimhana Jagodaarachchi, concluded that the substance Dickwella consumed was unrelated to his performance and was taken out-of-competition.
Based on this finding, the panel recommended reducing his suspension to three months, effective from July 13, 2024. With the new ruling, Dickwella is now eligible to resume playing immediately.
The appeal process involved Subhani Mallawaarachchi and Senior Counsel Panduka Keerthinanda representing SLADA, while Attorney-at-Laws Suminda Perera and Ranil Premathilaka appeared on behalf of Dickwella.