Picture Credit: Twitter
The Sri Lankan trio of Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis and Niroshan Dickwella are definitely going through one of the worst phases of their lives. After the trio found to have breached the bio-bubble in England during their tour to the nation, their life hasn't been the same again. From the fear of getting long-term ban from cricket to being subjected to the critics, the players have certainly experienced one of the most bitter repercussions of their offence. Meanwhile, the recent update on their case further makes life tougher for them.
Dickwella, Mendis and Gunathilaka have been handed an international ban of one year each from cricket and a domestic ban of half year apiece. Additionally, the players need to pay a sum of 10 million Sri Lankan rupees each for the offence.
"The Executive Committee of SLC, at its meeting held today (July 30), has given due consideration to the recommendations of the panel of inquiry, and in further consideration of the impact to the individual players, and their contribution to the national team, have decided unanimously to impose the following measures on the said three players:
A fine of Sri Lanka Rupees 10 Million for each player. A one year ban from all forms of international cricket and a six months ban from domestic cricket.
Upon completion of the said one year ban, each player will be subjected to a further ban of one year from playing international cricket which will be suspended for a period of two years.
Mandatory counselling under a doctor recommended by the board," said SLC in a release.
How did the issue come into light?
Notably, the bio-bubble breach from the players came to the fore after a video of Sri Lankan players Kusal Mendis and Niroshan Dickwella breaching the bio-bubble went viral on social media. In the clip, the two were sharing a smoking substance in public. Even tough they tried to hide the smoking substance, it was visibly caught on camera. Following the video getting viral, the cricketers came under scrutiny and later it was revealed that Gunathilaka was also among the offenders. The trio was called back to the island nation with immediate effect, alongside getting a 5-member panel set to investigate the case.