Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Friday threatened that any national cricketer joining India’s multi-million dollar rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) will face bans from national and international cricket.

“In the event any individual signs and/or participates in any tournament or league in any capacity whatsoever other than Sri Lanka Cricket-approved tournaments, the individual concerned shall not be eligible to participate in any cricket related activities conducted under the auspices of Sri Lanka Cricket,” the SLC said in a statement.
SLC secretary Gangatharan Mathivanan said any players signing or participating in such leagues or tournaments will not be considered ‘eligible for selection’ to represent Sri Lanka.

“Sri Lankan players who partake in such tournaments or leagues, which are not recognised by the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), will not be allowed to play on behalf of Sri Lanka nationally or internationally in the future,” Mathivanan said, adding that the SLC made this ‘unanimous decision’ when the interim body met here to decide on the controversial ICL tournament.

The statement by SLC came amidst reports that key Sri Lankan players were approached by the ICL to play in the tournament. Mathivanan, however, said the SLC was unaware of the details of national players being approached.

“No current player has approached us with their intention to take part in the ICL so far,” he said, expressing the hope that no one would want to do so after the SLC's latest decision.

SLC has already released former Sri Lankan skipper Marvan Atapattu from its annual contract on his request. But it is not immediately known whether any Sri Lankan players have signed a contract with ICL.