Rajapaksa had cited “familial obligations” as a key reason behind his resignation in the first week of January
“Pursuant to a meeting with the Hon. Namal Rajapaksa – Minister of Youth & Sports and after consulting with the national selectors, Bhanuka Rajapaksa has notified SLC that he wishes to withdraw his resignation which he tendered to SLC on 3rd Jan. 2022, with immediate effect,” an SLC media release stated. “In his letter to SLC withdrawing his resignation, he further states that he wishes to represent his country in the game he loves for the years to come.”
In a recent media release, the Sports Minister had warned the 30-year-old batter against coming to hasty decisions but also asked Rajapaksha to come forward and express his grievances if there are any.
While Rajapaksha had cited “familial obligations” as a key reason behind his resignation, there was speculation that his decision to resign was prompted by the new fitness requirements.
Having fallen out with then head coach Mickey Arthur over his lack of fitness last year, Rajapaksa worked on his fitness and fielding and found his way back into the national side, where he and Arthur eventually patched up their relationship. This month, SLC announced tougher fitness benchmarks starting from 2022.