Former Sri Lanka U-19 Captain Dhammika Niroshana Tragically Shot Dead Outside Home

Former Sri Lanka Under-19 cricket captain Dhammika Niroshana was fatally shot outside his home at age 41. While the assailants remain unidentified, authorities are investigating. Niroshana had a notable, albeit brief cricket career, retiring in 2004. Sri Lanka is set to host India for a T20I and ODI series later this month.

Former Sri Lanka Under-19 skipper Dhammika Niroshana was tragically shot dead outside his home at the age of 41 on Wednesday, according to ESPNcricinfo. The perpetrators have not yet been identified, and local police are actively investigating the incident to apprehend the suspects.

Niroshana had a notable cricket career, participating in 12 first-class games and 8 List A matches for the Galle Cricket Club between 2001 and 2004. He amassed over 300 runs and took 19 wickets before retiring from all forms of cricket in 2004. He debuted for the U-19 team in 2000 and assumed captaincy in 2002.

Despite never making it to the senior national team, Niroshana played alongside renowned Sri Lankan cricketers like Angelo Mathews, Upul Tharanga, and Farveez Maharoof at the Under-19 level. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is preparing to host India in a three-match T20I and ODI series starting July 26. The Pallekele International Stadium will host the T20Is, while the R Premadasa Stadium will host the ODIs. In their last bilateral series in July 2021, India won the ODI series 2-1, while Sri Lanka claimed the T20I series by the same margin.

(With inputs from agencies.)