Prabath Jayasuriya reprimanded for abusive act after dismissal in Colombo Test against India

Prabath Jayasuriya has been issued an official reprimand and one demerit point for breaching Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel during the second Test between Sri Lanka and India at Colombo, scheduled for August 23-27, 2026.

The breach relates to "abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match".

The breach took place on the second day of the match. Jayasuriya had been deployed as a nightwatchman and was dismissed lbw by Manav Suthar for two runs from seven balls, with the wicket falling on the final delivery of the day. As he made his way back to the dressing room, he used his bat to hit the boundary wedges, an act that drew a formal charge from the officiating panel.

The charge was brought by on-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, alongside third umpire Rod Tucker and fourth umpire Prageeth Rambukwella. Jayasuriya acknowledged the charge and agreed to the sanction put forward by match referee Andy Pycroft of the ICC Elite Panel, which meant the matter was resolved without a formal hearing. The demerit point is the first to be recorded against Jayasuriya within a rolling 24-month window.

What does the ICC Code of Conduct Article 2.2 establish?

Article 2.2 covers conduct involving the misuse of equipment or ground fixtures during an international match. The ICC classifies this as a lower-level disciplinary offence, with the prescribed sanction for a first breach being a reprimand and a single demerit point, which is what Jayasuriya received.

The provision addresses what the ICC describes as the abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings in the course of an international fixture. The officiating panel determined that Jayasuriya's actions with his bat at the boundary fell squarely within that definition. Because he accepted the finding, no independent tribunal was convened.

Jayasuriya becomes third to be sanctioned in Colombo Test?

Jayasuriya becomes the third player from this fixture to face an ICC disciplinary ruling. The earlier two sanctions arose from a separate episode on the opening day of the match, involving India batter Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sri Lanka fast bowler Asitha Fernando.

That episode unfolded during the 17th over of India's first innings. Fernando had just taken Jaiswal's wicket when the pair exchanged words and their heads came into contact, prompting the match officials to report both players. Each received an individual sanction. Jayasuriya's case is entirely separate, stemming only from his own conduct after his dismissal on Day 2 and bearing no connection to the Jaiswal-Fernando matter.

(Inputs: ICC Media Release)