Colombo: Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Kusal Perera is facing the prospect of a four-year ban after his B sample tested positive for a banned substance.

“The ICC has informed that he faces a four-year ban,” Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera said.

“We are hoping to appeal,” he added.

Perera’s urine sample was tested in Qatar after the ICC had originally found it contained banned substance.

Consequently Perera had to drop out of Sri Lanka’s current tour of New Zealand. Sri Lanka lost the series 0-2.

Perera is Sri Lanka’s second player to flunk a dope test.

Left-hander batsman Upul Tharanga was suspended for three months after testing positive for a banned substance during the 2011 World Cup.