Nuwan Thushara among 46 men’s cricketers to be awarded SLC contracts
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has officially announced its latest round of national contracts, resolving a major legal standoff in the process. With the new administrative structure in place, the board has finalized its player pool for the upcoming cycle, confirming that Nuwan Thushara among 46 men’s cricketers to be awarded SLC contracts is now a reality. This development comes as a major boost for the national side, signaling a reset in relationships between the players and the governing body.
Contents
The Resolution of the Nuwan Thushara Legal Dispute
The headline of this contract announcement is undoubtedly the inclusion of medium pacer Nuwan Thushara. His road back to the national contract list was far from straightforward. Earlier this year in April, Thushara filed a legal case against Sri Lanka Cricket. The dispute arose when Thushara objected to the board’s policy of making a fitness test a mandatory requirement for granting a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) to play in overseas franchise cricket leagues.
For modern cricketers, managing the balance between domestic franchise opportunities and national duties is often a delicate act. Thushara’s legal challenge represented a significant point of friction. However, the situation changed dramatically when the previous board administrators, with whom Thushara had been at loggerheads, were ousted en-masse by the Sri Lankan government. This administrative overhaul prompted Thushara to reconsider his stance and subsequently withdraw the legal case.
Following the withdrawal, Thushara formally wrote to the newly appointed administrators at SLC, declaring his availability and eligibility for national team selection. The new Transformation Committee, tasked with restructuring and managing the sport’s affairs, accepted his letter, paving the way for his return to the central contract list. Thushara’s inclusion is a massive positive for Sri Lanka, as his unique bowling action and medium-pace variations remain vital assets in limited-overs cricket.
Fresh Faces and Debutants in the National Setup
In addition to resolving past conflicts, the new contract list showcases SLC’s commitment to nurturing young talent and expanding the national player pool. Several players have earned national contracts for the very first time, reflecting strong performances in the domestic circuit.
Among the notable debutants is Jaffna legspinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, whose consistent performances have caught the selectors’ eyes. Joining him is Tharindu Ratnayake, a highly intriguing ambidextrous spinner capable of bowling with both arms, offering the team unique tactical flexibility. The batting department sees the inclusion of Kamil Mishara and Lasith Croospulle, both of whom have shown immense promise in domestic tournaments.
The all-rounder category has also been bolstered with first-time contract recipients. Isitha Wijesundara, Wanuja Sahan, and Dilum Sudeera have all been recognized for their multi-dimensional skills. Their inclusion highlights a clear strategy by the selectors to build depth across all departments ahead of a busy international schedule.
Omissions, Veterans, and Contract Structure
While several young players celebrated their first contracts, there were some notable omissions. Most prominent among them is batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who was not awarded a contract despite having participated in domestic cricket in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Rajapaksa has been a prominent figure in global T20 leagues, but his omission indicates that the selectors are looking in a different direction for the upcoming cycle.
Otherwise, the list contains few major surprises and features a solid mix of experienced red-ball and white-ball specialists. Veteran players such as Dinesh Chandimal and Kasun Rajitha, who primarily feature in the Test format, have retained their contracts. Similarly, limited-overs specialists like left-arm pacer Binura Fernando have secured their places, ensuring that Sri Lanka maintains a balanced squad across all three formats of the game.
According to the official release from Sri Lanka Cricket, the 46 contracted players have been graded into six distinct categories. However, the board chose not to publicly disclose the specific categories or the grading assignments for individual players. The active period for these national contracts is scheduled to run from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027.
Full List of SLC Contracted Men’s Players
The following is the complete list of the 46 men’s players who have been awarded national contracts by Sri Lanka Cricket for the 2026-2027 term:
- 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
With this comprehensive group of 46 players locked in, Sri Lanka Cricket has established a stable platform for the national side. The resolution of internal disputes and the injection of fresh talent bode well for the team’s future as they prepare for a demanding international calendar starting in April 2026.
