SLADA Independent Appeal Committee lifts ban on Dickwella

Thursday, 12 December 2024 00:08 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Niroshan Dickwella

Sri Lanka cricketer can resume playing cricket

The Independent Appeal Committee of the Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA) has lifted the three-year ban imposed on Sri Lanka cricketer Niroshan Dickwella, allowing him to recommence playing cricket.

The 31-year-old Sri Lanka and Nondescripts Cricket Club (NCC) wicket-keeper/batsman was handed a three-year suspension after being tested positive for cocaine during a doping test conducted by the SLADA on 14 July.

The test was conducted during the Lanka Premier League T20 tournament in July this year, where Dickwella’s team Galle Marvels lost to Jaffna Kings in the final.

Following the positive test, Dickwella was suspended from all forms of cricket by Sri Lanka Cricket and his domestic club NCC.

Dickwella appealed against the ban and an appeal panel, headed by retired Judge Upali Samaraweera and including members Prof. Asela Mendis and Gimhana Jagodaarachchi, was of the view that the substance consumed by Dickwella was unrelated to his sporting performance and was taken out-of-competition.

As a result, the appeal panel reduced Dickwella’s three-year suspension to three months effective from 13 July 2024, which has by now expired, thus allowing him to resume playing cricket again.