Sri Lanka’s cricket board suspended three top players for a year on Friday after they left their bio-secure hotel during a tour of England, violating Covid-19 regulations. The long suspensions and $50,000 penalties were imposed after viral social media footage of vice-captain Kusal Mendis, opener Danushka Gunathilaka, and wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella on a night out in Durham the day before a one-day international against England surfaced.
The trio, who were sent home from the trip on June 28, were accused of bringing “disrepute to Sri Lanka Cricket and the country,” according to the national board.
All three were given a two-year suspension by the board, with one year suspended. Once their ban is fulfilled, they will be on probation for two years.
The three were found guilty of breaching health standards and abandoning their Durham hotel on Thursday by a five-member independent disciplinary panel.
“Breaking Covid-19 safety standards, instructions, and regulations of the team management and… placing the safety of said players, fellow team members, and others in danger,” the trio was found guilty.
