Sri Lanka fast bowler Shehan Madushanka has been apprehended by the police for alleged possession of drugs on Monday, May 25. Sri Lanka police official told news agency AFP that the cricketer was in possession of two grams of heroin when he was caught red-handed in the town on Pannala on Sunday.
The right-arm pacer was stopped while driving with another guy in a car on Sunday and was found to have two grams of the drug, police added in a statement. Earlier, SLC CEO Ashley de Silva said that they had not been officially informed on this yet. Ashley de Silva went on to add saying that since Shehan Madushanka is a contracted player, strict action will be taken to suspend his contract if he carries a drug charge.
Shehan Madushanka’s arrest was the first time in history that a contracted player was remanded over a drug charge. Madushanka and his friend were arrested on May 23 for possessing heroin. Meanwhile, the magistrate at Kuliyapitiya in the north-western province ordered him to be remanded till June 2.
SLC decides to suspend Shehan Madushanka from all forms of cricket
Sri Lanka Cricket decided to suspend the cricketer from all forms of cricket with immediate effect. The decision was taken after the player was arrested by the Police and later sent on remand custody for alleged possession of illegal drugs. The decision to suspend will remain the same until a full inquiry is made by the Sri Lanka Cricket into the matter.
Sri Lanka Cricket secretary echoed that they had suspended the 25-year-old cricketer pending an official investigation. The cricketer was remanded into custody on Monday.
“We have suspended him with immediate effect and he also cannot take part in any form of the game,”
Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Mohan de Silva was quoted as saying by AFP release.
The 25-year-old cricketer carved out a reputation for himself in early 2018 with an ODI hat-trick on debut against Bangladesh, and he was the fourth player in ODI history accomplish the feat.
Madushanka’s appearances have been limited to his ODI debut including two T20 matches which came against Bangladesh in 2018 but has not played an international game since due to injuries.