Fast bowler Nuwan Thushara has filed a case against Sri Lanka Cricket, urging the Colombo District Court to mandate the issuance of a no-objection certificate that would allow him to participate in the Indian Premier League for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
In a landmark move, Thushara reportedly named SL president Shammi Silva and other high-ranking members of SLC in the case, as he attempts to argue against the reasons for the NOC being withheld from him before the ongoing IPL season.
Thushara seeks a pair of injunctions that would direct the SLC to issue an NOC for his participation in the IPL, as well a declaration stating he is entitled to the certificate.
As per NewsWire in Sri Lanka, the case will progress with a hearing scheduled to take place on April 9 at the Colombo District Court. The report stated that the SLC didn’t issue the NOC due to a failure on Thushara’s part to achieve the ‘prescribed fitness standards’.
Further, Thushara also claimed that his current fitness levels matched those from previous years in his career. In those years, SLC had granted Thushara an NOC, including in 2025 where he was a part of RCB’s title-winning squad.
Thushara reportedly told he's not in SL's plans
{{/usCountry}}Further, Thushara also claimed that his current fitness levels matched those from previous years in his career. In those years, SLC had granted Thushara an NOC, including in 2025 where he was a part of RCB’s title-winning squad.
Thushara reportedly told he's not in SL's plans
{{/usCountry}}However, in a big reveal, the report indicated that Thushara’s contract with the SLC had lapsed on 31st March 2026, only three days after the start of the 2026 season of the IPL. Further, Thushara’s case revealed that he didn’t have an intention to renew his contract with Sri Lanka Cricket, which would indicate a step away from international cricket.
The case is built on the argument that the refusal to provide an NOC was an unjust decision by SLC, with Thushara’s camp alleging that the seamer had already been told he would no longer be considered for international selection.
Thushara previously represented Mumbai Indians in the 2024 edition of the tournament, and followed that up with his RCB stint, by whom he was retained after one appearance in the title run. While he has played for Sri Lanka in 30 T20Is, including an impressive 2025 Asia Cup, he missed out on the home T20 World Cup earlier this year.