Thushara Returns as Sri Lanka Awards Central Contracts to 46 Cricketers

Fast bowler Nuwan Thushara has returned to Sri Lanka Cricket’s (SLC) central contract list after resolving his legal dispute with the board. SLC has awarded national contracts to 46 cricketers for the 2026-27 season, with Thushara among those included.

In April, Thushara had taken legal action against SLC over the requirement to pass a fitness test in order to obtain a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) for participation in overseas franchise leagues. However, after the Sri Lankan government removed the board officials involved in the dispute, he withdrew the case. He later informed the new administration of his availability for national selection, and his request was accepted by SLC’s Transformation Committee.

Among the players receiving central contracts for the first time are leg-spinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, ambidextrous spinner Tharindu Ratnayake, batters Kamil Mishara and Lasith Croospulle, and all-rounders Isitha Wijesundara, Wanuja Sahan and Dilum Sudeera.

Batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa, however, was not awarded a national contract despite featuring in Sri Lanka’s domestic cricket earlier this year.

The contracts list also includes experienced Test cricketers such as Dinesh Chandimal and Kasun Rajitha, along with limited-overs specialists like Binura Fernando.

SLC stated that the players have been divided into six different categories, although the board did not disclose the grading of individual cricketers. The contracts are valid from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027.

Contracted Players:

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 and Tharindu Ratnayake.