Nuwan Thushara among 46 men’s cricketers to be awarded SLC contracts

Nuwan Thushara among 46 men’s cricketers to be awarded SLC contracts by Sri Lanka Cricket, marking a significant development in his relationship with the board after he withdrew his legal case. This move indicates a fresh start for the medium pacer, who had previously been at odds with the SLC over a fitness test requirement for a No-Objection Certificate to play franchise cricket overseas.

Thushara’s inclusion in the list of contracted players suggests a re-setting of his relationship with the board. The bowler had objected to SLC making a fitness test a requirement for the board granting him a No-Objection Certificate to play franchise cricket overseas. However, since the board members whom he had been at loggerheads with were ousted en-masse by the Sri Lankan government, Thushara decided to withdraw his case.

He had then written to the new administrators at SLC, announcing his eligibility for national selection, which the new Transformation Committee has since accepted. Other notable players who have been awarded contracts for the first time include Jaffna legspinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, ambidextrous spinner Tharindu Ratnayake, batters Kamil Mishara and Lasith Croospulle, and allrounders Isitha Wijesundara, Wanuja Sahan, and Dilum Sudeera.

There are otherwise no major surprises in what is a substantial roll of cricketers. The list features players such as Dinesh Chandimal and Kasun Rajitha, who primarily play Tests, as well as limited-overs specialists like Binura Fernando.

Men’s national contracted players

The SLC release said the players had been graded into six different categories, but did not divulge which players were in which category. The period of the contract runs from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.

The following players have been awarded national contracts: Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Wanindu Hasaranga, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando, Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Niroshan Dickwella, Jeffrey Vandersay, Prabath Jayasuriya, Vishwa Fernando, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Eshan Malinga, Milan Rathnayake, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Ramesh Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Sonal Dinusha, Sahan Arachchige, Pramod Madushan, Lasith Croospulle, Lahiru Udara, Nuwanidu Fernando, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Isitha Wijesundara, Nishan Madushka, Akila Dananjaya, Chamika Karunaratne, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Mohammed Shiraz, Wanuja Sahan, Dilum Sudeera, Tharindu Rathnayake