In a move that has shocked cricket enthusiasts and raised serious questions about sporting integrity in Sri Lanka, Niroshan Dikwella’s three-year ban for cocaine use has been controversially reduced to just three months. This decision has sparked widespread debate about the credibility of cricket administration and disciplinary procedures in the country.
The scandal erupted during the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024 when medical examinations revealed Dikwella’s cocaine use. While the initial three-year ban seemed appropriate for such a serious violation, its rapid reduction to three months has left many questioning the influence of privilege and connections in cricket governance.
“The handling of this case sets a dangerous precedent,” notes a senior cricket analyst who wished to remain anonymous. “When a team captain can escape with minimal consequences after cocaine use, what message are we sending to young cricketers?”
The contrast with cricket’s golden era is stark. When legends like Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara entered the sport, they had role models in Arjuna Ranatunga and Aravinda de Silva – figures known for their professional discipline and integrity. Today’s young cricketers instead witness a captain returning to share their lounge after a mere three-month suspension for drug use.
This incident becomes even more troubling when compared to international standards. While Indian cricket star Virat Kohli is famous for his strict dietary regime – avoiding even salt and sugar to maintain peak performance – Sri Lankan cricket now faces the embarrassment of a captain using cocaine during a major tournament.
Dikwella is a destroyer of Sri Lankan cricket
Dikwella’s case is particularly concerning, given his history of disciplinary infractions. “This isn’t an isolated incident,” says a former cricket administrator. “There’s a pattern of behaviour here that has consistently been met with lenient responses.”
The implications extend beyond individual conduct. Team performance, sporting integrity, and the very future of Sri Lankan cricket hang in the balance. The reduction of Dikwella’s ban raises serious questions about the effectiveness of current disciplinary procedures and the influence of external factors in decision-making.
Cricket experts point out that punishment in sports serves multiple purposes: deterring individual misconduct, setting examples for others, and maintaining professional standards. The handling of this case appears to have failed on all counts.
“Don’t be surprised if we see another controversy involving Dikwella in the coming months,” warns a sports psychologist. “When consequences are this mild, there’s little incentive for behavioural change.”
The scandal highlights the urgent need for reform in Sri Lankan cricket administration. Recommendations include establishing independent disciplinary committees, implementing standardized punishment protocols, and ensuring transparent decision-making processes.
As Sri Lankan cricket grapples with this crisis, the question remains: Can the sport recover its integrity when justice appears to bend to privilege? Until this fundamental issue is addressed, the future of cricket in Sri Lanka remains uncertain.
The Dikwella case serves as a stark reminder that in sports, as in life, justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done. Without fair and consistent rule application, the very foundation of competitive sport is undermined.
For now, young cricketers and fans alike watch as their captain returns to the field. His swift comeback raises more questions than answers about the state of cricket administration in Sri Lanka. The true cost of this compromised justice may only become apparent over time.
