Colombo: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Friday announced that it will issue no-holds-barred certificates (NOCs) for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 to central contract players only if they pass the mandatory physical fitness test.
A total of seven Sri Lankan cricketers including Padum Nissanga, Vanindu Hasaranga and Madisha Pathirana will participate in this year’s IPL.
While the matches are scheduled to start on March 28, franchise officials have indicated that they are still waiting for updates from the SLC on the fitness levels and availability of its players.
Meanwhile, the SLC has insisted that as per the latest development, NOCs for the lucrative franchise league will only be granted to players who meet the “required standards” of the ongoing physical performance test.
“Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) wishes to announce that players who have applied to participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 will be issued a No Obligation Certificate (NOC) only if they successfully pass the SLC’s mandatory physical fitness test,” the SLC said in a statement.
“Currently, the SLC is conducting an eight-week special physical training program for all players contracted at the national level.
“This initiative aims to improve the physical performance standards of players in preparation for upcoming international assignments.
“With this programme, players undergo mandatory physical performance tests, a regular process is followed to check the fitness level of the players.
“Only those who successfully meet the required standards of physical performance tests will be allowed to participate in the ongoing domestic competition and will also be given NOC to participate in IPL 2026.”
The SLC further shared that while awaiting the results of Nuwan Dushara’s fitness test, the NOCs were issued after Dushmantha Sameera, Kamindu Mendis and Nissanga cleared the assessment.
Accordingly, Dushmantha Sameera, Padum Nissanga and Kamindu Mendis have been issued NOCs to participate in the IPL after successfully completing the physical performance tests, the SLC statement said.
“Nuwan Tushara’s eligibility for a no-obligation certificate (NOC) to participate in the IPL is subject to the results of his physical fitness test,” it added.
Meanwhile, SLC further shared that Eshan Malinga, Madisha Pathirana and Hasaranga are yet to undergo fitness tests as they are undergoing rehabilitation from their respective injuries.
“Vanidu Hazaranga, Eshan Malinga and Madisha Pathirana, who have sought NOCs to participate in IPL 2026, are yet to undergo fitness tests as they are still undergoing rehabilitation to recover from injuries.
“The respective players will undergo tests once they have completed their recovery and rehabilitation programs.”