Colombo: Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella has been suspended following allegations of an anti-doping violation during the Lanka Premier League (LPL). Sri Lanka Cricket on Friday announced the decision with immediate effect. The alleged incident took place during the recently-concluded LPL where he captained the Galle Marvels.

Action taken after being found positive in a dope test

Sri Lanka Cricket's statement said, 'The suspension is effective immediately and will remain in force until further notice. The investigation was conducted by the Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA) during the Lanka Premier League 2024 which is part of Sri Lanka Cricket's ongoing commitment to maintaining the integrity of the game.'

Out of the team since March 2023

According to it, 'This initiative, taken in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and by the guidelines of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), aims to ensure that cricket remains free from the effects of banned substances.' The left-handed player was previously summoned by Sri Lanka Cricket for his poor disciplinary record. The 31-year-old player last played for Sri Lanka in March last year.

Such has been Dickwella's international career

31-year-old Dickwella has played 54 Tests, 55 ODIs, and 28 international T20 matches for Sri Lanka. During this time, he has scored 4,841 runs in all three formats with the help of 2 centuries and 32 half-centuries. His best performance has been 116 in Tests and 96 in ODIs. He was last seen playing in Sri Lanka's jersey in the Christchurch Test on the New Zealand tour. He has been out of the ODI team since 2022 and the T20 team since 2021.