Colombo: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Monday awarded central contracts to 46 of its national men’s cricketers, including right-arm fast bowler Nuwan Dushara, after withdrawing its case against the board in April this year.
Tushara, who was part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) team that won the maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title in 2025, has been retained by the franchise for the current edition.
However, he could not get a no-obligation certificate (NOC) from the SLC as he did not meet the required fitness standards set by the cricket board for players who want to participate in overseas franchise leagues.
In response, the fast bowler filed a case against SLC but withdrew it after a week, but after a week he withdrew his case with a written apology as team members who had conflicted with him were expelled by the Sri Lankan government.
On the other hand, Vijayakanth Vyaskanth, Darindu Ratnayake, Kamil Mishara, Lasith Krusepulle, Isidha Wijesundara, Vanuja Sahan and Dhilum Sudhira were given SLC central contracts for the first time, while veteran Bhanuka Rajapaksa left despite featuring in domestic cricket earlier this year.
Notably, the SLC shared that the players were graded into six different divisions, but did not specify who was selected in which divisions.
It is to be noted that the contract period is from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.
Centrally contracted men’s cricketers of Sri Lanka
Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Vanindu Hasaranga, Padum Nissanga, Sarith Asalanga, Kamindu Mendis, Dushmantha Sameera, Asitha Fernando, Dasun Shanaka, Mahish Dikshana, Janith Liyanke, Dunith, Jender Liyanke, Nitroshan Valeikavel, Jayasuriya, Vishwa Fernando, Madisha Pathirana, Dilshan Madhushanka, Pawan Ratnayake, Eshan Malinga, Milan Ratnayake, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha, Avishka Fernando, Sateera Samarawickrama, Ramesh Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Pinura Samarawickrama, Sateera Samarawickrama, Samoth Tushara, Sonal Fernando Madhushan, Lasith Krusepulle, Lahiru Uthara, Nuvanitu Fernando, Vijayakanth Vyaskanth, Isidha Wijesundara, Nishan Madushka, Akila Dhananjaya, Samika Karunaratne, Pacindu Suryabandara, Mohammad Shiras, Vanuja Sahan, Dhilum Sudhirana and Darindu.