Nuwan Thushara Petitions Court for IPL NOC

Sri Lankan fast bowler Nuwan Thushara filed a petition in the Colombo District Court on April 2, 2026, seeking a court order to compel Sri Lanka Cricket to issue a No Objection Certificate for his participation in the ongoing Indian Premier League season with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

The 31-year-old right-arm pacer, who has represented Sri Lanka in 30 T20 internationals since his debut in 2022, argued in his filing that his central contract with the board expired on March 31 and that he had informed officials of his decision not to renew it, effectively ending his international career. Thushara contested the board's denial of the NOC, which was based on his alleged failure to meet mandatory fitness standards required for national team selection. He maintained that his physical condition has remained consistent throughout his career and that the board had previously cleared him for similar levels of play, including prior IPL stints.

In the petition, Thushara named several Sri Lanka Cricket officials as defendants, including president Shammi Silva, secretary Bandula Dissanayake, treasurer Sujeewa Godaliyadda, and chief executive officer Ashley de Silva. The court has scheduled...