Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Mendis arrested for causing fatal motor accident: Report

The 25-year-old wicket-keeper batsman has represented Sri Lanka in 44 Tests and 76 ODIs. Mendis was part of the national squad which had resumed training after the COVID-19 lockdown.

Sri Lanka batsman Kusal Mendis on Sunday was arrested after the vehicle he was driving allegedly hitting a pedestrian on cycle, news agency PTI reported citing a statement from Sri Lanka police. The 64-year-old man on the bicycle was killed after being hit by the SUV in the Colombo suburb of Panadura, the report further said.

File photo of Kusal Mendis. (AP)

Mendis was driving an SUV at Old Galle Road in the Colombo suburb of Panadura at 5 am when the incident happened, police said. Mendis is expected to be produced before a magistrate later in the day, the police added. Further investigations into the accident are being conducted at the moment.

According to police, Mendis’ car crashed into the bicycle of the deceased who has been identified as a resident of Gokarella. The victim suffered serious injuries and died as he was being admitted to the hospital. According to police, Mendis’ car crashed into the bicycle of the deceased who has been identified as a resident of Gokarella.The victim suffered serious injuries and died as he was being admitted to the hospital.

The 25-year-old wicket-keeper batsman has represented Sri Lanka in 44 Tests and 76 ODIs. Mendis was part of the national squad which had resumed training after the COVID-19 lockdown since last month. He has scored 2,995 runs at an average of 37 in 44 Tests and 2,167 runs at an average of 84.7 in the ODIs. Mendis has also played 26 T20Is in which he has scored 484 runs at an average of 18.6.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s international assignments, including a tour by India, have been cancelled due to the pandemic. A six-member unit of coaches and other support staff are working with the players during the camp at the Pallekele stadium.

(With PTI inputs, more details awaited)