Niroshan Dickwella suspended for doping violation

Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella has been suspended for a doping violation, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed in an official release. Sri Lanka’s Anti-Doping Agency conducted the test during this year’s Lanka Premier League and found Dickwella guilty. The suspension is effective immediately and will remain until further notice.

“This initiative, undertaken in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) guidelines, is aimed at ensuring that cricket remains free from the influence of prohibited substances,” the release stated.

“SLC, together with the Ministry of Sports and SLADA, conducts these tests during domestic tournaments randomly to safeguard the sport against anti-doping violations.”

The 31-year-old, who led Galle Marvels in LPL 2024, last turned out for the national side in March 2023. Although he received a call-up for Sri Lanka’s T20I series against Bangladesh earlier this year, Dickwella warmed the bench.

The left-handed batter has had a poor disciplinary record. He was most notably among three players banned for breaching bio-bubble protocols in 2021, alongside Danushka Gunathilaka and Kusal Mendis.

Dickwella has kept wicket for Sri Lanka across formats, scoring 2757 runs in Tests, 1604 in ODIs and 480 in T20Is