Left-arm pace bowler Perera's action was reported to the ICC by the umpires following the drawn first Test at Lord's.

And Butcher claimed in column in local newspaper the Croydon Advertiser, that the bowler, "definitely straightens his arm".

But the three-man panel stopped short of imposing a maximum fine of �2,000, or a possible suspension of up to five playing days.

"The panel found that the terms of the article were in breach of the board's directives in relation to public statements," said an ECB statement.

"The panel took into account than an immediate apology was made by him after publication had appeared."

Butcher has the right of appeal within 14 days.

"The matter has been discussed at length, I have already apologised for the comments that were made in the article," the batsman said.

"The decision was made that it was a breach of my contract, so I shall stand by that.

"I realise it caused some trouble to the Sri Lankan board and Perera himself and I realise the comments were perhaps inappropriate.

"As soon as the story came out I knew I had made an error of judgement."