Before Team India tours Sri Lanka, former SL U-19 captain shot dead in front of wife and kids

Former Under-19 cricket team captain Dhammika Niroshana of Sri Lanka allegedly was shot and passed away at his house on Tuesday night. The incidence happened at his Ambalangoda, Kanda Mawatha house.

Local media accounts state that Niroshana, at home with his wife and two children, was shot with a 12-bore rifle. Arriving at the location after information, police seized the body and forwarded it for an autopsy. Though the event is under investigation, the culprit and the reason for the shooting are yet unknown.

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How was Dhammika Niroshana’s cricket career? 

Niroshana, a right-arm paceman and right-handed batsman, started his career with the Sri Lanka Under-19 squad in 2000 and participated in youth cricket for several years. He was seen as one of the most skilled and versatile cricketers to emerge from Sri Lanka's youth development programme, having competed with prominent players such as Angelo Mathews, Upul Tharanga, and Dinesh Chandimal. Nevertheless, he abandoned cricket when he reached the age of 20.

At the 2002 ICC Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand, Niroshana captained the Sri Lankan squad and achieved a total of seven wickets at an average of 19.28 across five innings. Furthermore, he played for Chilaw Marians Cricket Club, Galle Cricket Club, and Singha Sports Club in Sri Lanka, in addition to his international youth career. He achieved a total of more than 200 runs and 19 wickets in 12 first-class matches, and a total of 48 runs and five wickets in eight List-A matches.