Former Sri Lanka U-19 captain Dhammika Niroshana shot dead at home

An unidentified assailant tragically killed former Sri Lanka Under-19 cricketer Dhammika Niroshana on Tuesday night (July 16). The 41-year-old was assassinated at his Kanda Mawatha residence in Ambalangoda, multiple Sri Lankan publications have confirmed.

Ambalangoda police said Niroshana was with his wife and two children when the assailant shot him with a 12-bore firearm. Police are yet to identify the suspect and the motive behind the shooting but the investigations are ongoing.

A right-arm fast bowler and right-handed batter, Niroshana debuted for the Sri Lanka Under-19 in 2000 and played age-group cricket for a couple of years. He captained Sri Lanka in the ICC Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand in 2002, taking seven wickets in five innings at an average of 19.28.

He also represented the Chilaw Marians Cricket Club, Galle Cricket Club, and Singha Sports Club in Sri Lanka across 12 first-class matches to collect over 200 runs and 19 wickets and eight List-A matches for 48 runs and five wickets.

Sri Lankan cricket in more turmoil ahead of series vs India

Sri Lanka are set to play a three-match ODI and a three-match T20I series against India at home from July 26 to August 7. The Lankans are coming off a poor T20 World Cup 2024 campaign, following a similar trajectory in the 2023 ODI edition.

Sri Lanka were on the up under Dasun Shanaka's captaincy in the lead-up to the ODI leg but that phase now seems like a distant dream. Injuries started the unraveling but then a ban on Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), the constant changes in the leadership of the board and the team worsened the situation further.

Even now, the team will meet India with an interim coach - Sanath Jayasruriya - after Chris Silverwood's sacking. The T20 World Cup captain Wanindu Hasaranga has also stepped down from his position at the helm.

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