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Sheron
Sheron
Apr 09 2026
121Sri Lanka Cricket has informed the Colombo District Court that it will file objections against the petition filed by fast bowler Nuwan Thushara seeking a court order to compel the board to issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to participate in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) and other overseas franchise leagues.
When the matter was taken up before the Colombo District Court, Sri Lanka Cricket informed court that it intends to file objections to the application. Accordingly, the court ordered that the case be called again on April 23 for Sri Lanka Cricket to file its objections.
Nuwan Thushara had filed the petition seeking an interim mandatory injunction directing Sri Lanka Cricket to issue an NOC, enabling him to participate in franchise leagues, including the 2026 IPL.
In his plaint, Thushara named Sri Lanka Cricket President Shammi Silva, Secretary Bandula Dissanayake, Treasurer Sujeewa Godaliyadda and CEO Ashley de Silva as defendants.
Thushara stated that he had been selected by Royal Challengers for the 2026 IPL, having previously participated in the tournament in 2024 and 2025 after receiving NOCs from Sri Lanka Cricket.
However, Sri Lanka Cricket refused to issue the NOC for 2026 citing failure to meet newly introduced fitness standards, according to court filings.
The fast bowler further argued that his Sri Lanka Cricket contract lapsed on March 31, 2026, and that he had informed the board of his decision not to renew the contract and step away from international cricket.
He also told court that he had already been informed he would not be considered for national selection, and therefore the refusal to grant an NOC on fitness grounds was unjustified.
Thushara further claimed that his fitness levels were consistent with those maintained throughout his career and that similar standards had not prevented Sri Lanka Cricket from issuing NOCs to him in previous years.
He also informed court that failure to issue the NOC would result in him being replaced by his IPL franchise, leading to the loss of significant income and future career opportunities.
Thushara is seeking a declaration that he is entitled to the NOC, along with interim and permanent injunctions directing Sri Lanka Cricket to issue the certificate to allow him to participate in the IPL and other overseas leagues.
source: Newswire
