Sri Lankan cricketer Niroshan Dickwella's ban from all forms of cricket has been significantly reduced from three years to just three months, making him eligible to resume playing with immediate effect.
This decision comes after an appeal panel reconsidered his case and acknowledged that Dickwella had consumed a substance of abuse out-of-competition, which was unrelated to performance enhancement.
The appeal panel, consisting of Retired Judge Upali Samaraweera, Professor Asela Mendis, and Attorney-at-Law Gimhana Jagodaarachchi, reviewed medical evidence and concluded that the player’s case warranted a reduction in his ineligibility period. The new three-month ban is set to begin from August 13, 2024.
The panel emphasized that the decision strikes a balance between ensuring fairness for Dickwella and upholding the principles of anti-doping in the sport. This adjustment aligns with maintaining the integrity of cricket while considering the player's right to fair treatment.
Dickwella had been suspended on August 16, 2024, following an anti-doping violation during the Lanka Premier League (LPL). The suspension was a result of a doping test conducted by the Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency, which confirmed the violation.
Representing Dickwella, Attorney-at-Law Suminda Perera and Senior Attorney-at-Law Ranil Prematilake presented the cricketer's appeal to the panel. With the new decision, Dickwella is now set to return to cricket after completing the reduced penalty.
