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Nuwan Thusara withdraws lawsuit against Sri Lanka Cricket
Sri Lanka seamer Nuwan Thushara has withdrawn his lawsuit against Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), just weeks after filing it when SLC denied him a no-objection certificate (NOC) to play in IPL 2026, where he is a part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), who are yet to name a replacement for the 31-year-old slinger.
Thushara told the Colombo District Court that he wished to withdraw his case as much of the IPL was now already completed. ESPNcricinfo understands that Thushara had also sent a written apology to SLC last week, indicating his willingness to withdraw his lawsuit.
In his original court petition, Thushara had stated his desire to retire from international cricket. It is unclear at this point if that has changed or was the same. Either way, in accordance with SLC’s new fitness protocols, Thushara would not be eligible for selection until he met the minimum requirements.
Thushara had been denied his NOC on grounds of him not reaching SLCs required fitness standards, something he had argued had not been a barrier in previous years – periods that Thushara claimed his fitness had remained more or less the same as at present.
It was during this impasse that Thushara had signalled his decision to retire, and filed his lawsuit soon after. Thushara had contended that the enforcement of a fitness-based NOC was unreasonable and a barrier to his livelihood.
The timing – April 2 – had raised eyebrows, as it coincided with the Easter court holiday, meaning a swift resolution was always unlikely. The case was taken up once more on April 9, where SLC indicated its desire to file objections, before finally being taken up on April 23, which was when the case was dismissed.
Thushara, 30 matches old internationally, all T20Is, had been part of Mumbai Indians in IPL 2024 before moving to RCB in 2025.
[Cricinfo]
The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued Landslide Early Warnings to the Districts of Kurunegala and Ratnapura effective from 16:00 hrs on 23.04.2026 To 16:00 hrs on 24.04.2026
Accordingly,
Level 1 landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Rideegama in the Kurunegala district and Kuruwita, Kalawana, Ratnapura, Nivithigala, Pelmadulla and Eheliyagoda in the Ratnapura district.
US forces have boarded a ship carrying Iranian oil in the Indian Ocean, the US military says.
It comes as the deputy speaker of the Iranian parliament says Iran has received the first tolls from shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. He did not say who paid the tolls, or how much they were, and the BBC has not verified his claim.
Donald Trump has previously said the US would taget ships if they pay Iran to use the strait.
Yesterday, Iran attacked three cargo ships as they tried to pass through the Strait of Hormuz – and claimed it seized two of them. BBC Verify has analyzed footage said to be of the seizures, released by Iranian media.
[BBC]
Latest News
Advisory for Severe Lightning issued for the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, North-central, Southern, Uva provinces, and Ampara and Batticaloa districts
Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology
Issued at 12.00 noon 23 April 2026 valid for the period until 11.30 p.m. 23 April 2026
Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, North-central, Southern, Uva provinces, and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts after 1.00 p.m.
There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
• Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
Landslide Early Warnings issued to the Districts of Kurunegala and Ratnapura
US boards ship carrying Iranian oil, as Iran MP says first Strait of Hormuz toll paid
Advisory for Severe Lightning issued for the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, North-central, Southern, Uva provinces, and Ampara and Batticaloa districts
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