Kusal Mendis released on bail day after arrest for role in fatal road accident

Kusal Mendis has been released on bail a day after he was arrested for his role in a fatal motor accident in Panadura, just south of Colombo. Mendis, who was driving the SUV that hit and killed a 64-year-old cyclist at around 5am on Sunday, has also been cleared of driving under the influence by preliminary police investigations and a judicial medical officer.

Mendis, 25, is understood to have been returning from the wedding of a Sri Lanka Cricket employee when the accident took place. Fellow Sri Lanka cricketer Avishka Fernando is also understood to have been on board the car, with Mendis acting as designated driver for the group.

CCTV footage suggests the vehicle had veered off the road and into a garden wall, hitting the victim - a local resident - in the process. The victim had sustained substantial injuries and died in the process of being admitted to Panadura hospital.

After being detained at the Panadura police station overnight near where the accident occurred, Mendis was produced before the Panadura Magistrate's Court and released on two personal bails of Sri Lankan rupees 1 million ($5400 approx.) each. He is due to appear in court again on September 9.

As Sri Lanka's lockdowns and curfew have now ceased, Mendis was allowed to be on the road at the time. He had been part of Sri Lanka's residential training camp in Pallekele, which ended on Wednesday.