Nuwan Thushara among 46 men’s cricketers to be awarded SLC contracts
A New Chapter for Nuwan Thushara and SLC
The landscape of Sri Lankan cricket has seen a notable shift as the national board confirms that Nuwan Thushara among 46 men’s cricketers to be awarded SLC contracts. This decision comes shortly after the medium-pacer successfully navigated a resolution to his previously contentious relationship with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). By withdrawing the legal case he had filed against the board back in April, Thushara has effectively paved the way for his reintegration into the national setup.
Resolving Past Tensions
The conflict had originally stemmed from a disagreement regarding fitness test requirements, which the board had tied to the issuance of No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) for participation in overseas franchise leagues. Thushara had challenged this prerequisite, leading to a period of friction. However, with the structural overhaul of the SLC administration—following the ousting of previous board members by the Sri Lankan government—the circumstances have changed. Thushara proactively engaged with the new administrators, declaring his availability and commitment to national selection, a gesture that the newly formed Transformation Committee has welcomed.
Expanding the Talent Pool
The list of 46 contracted players represents a substantial investment in the future of the sport, blending established stars with promising new talent. Joining the ranks for the first time are several exciting prospects, including the leg-spinning prowess of Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, the versatility of ambidextrous spinner Tharindu Ratnayake, and batters Kamil Mishara and Lasith Croospulle. The inclusion of all-rounders such as Isitha Wijesundara, Wanuja Sahan, and Dilum Sudeera highlights the board’s focus on building a deep and adaptable squad.
While the list includes many prominent names, there were also notable exclusions. Batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa, despite participating in domestic cricket earlier this year, was not awarded a contract for this cycle. The selection remains largely consistent with expectations, featuring a mix of Test specialists like Dinesh Chandimal and Kasun Rajitha alongside limited-overs experts such as Binura Fernando.
Contract Structure and Future Outlook
According to the official statement from SLC, the players have been distributed across six distinct categories, though the board has opted not to disclose the specific classification of each individual at this time. The contract period is officially set to run from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027. This duration provides a stable framework for the players to focus on their development and international commitments without the uncertainty that previously clouded the relationship between the board and some of its athletes.
Full List of Contracted Players
The complete roster of 46 men’s cricketers awarded national contracts includes:
- 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
As the cricket season progresses, the focus will now shift to how these players perform under the new contractual terms. For fans and observers alike, the re-inclusion of players like Thushara signifies a move toward stability and collective focus as the team prepares for the challenges ahead in the international arena.
