Sri Lanka’s promising young spinner Dunith Wellalage has been struck by tragedy in the middle of the Asia Cup 2025, after news broke that his father, Suranga Wellalage, passed away suddenly in Colombo.
Suranga, who had a cricketing background himself—once captaining the Prince of Wales College team—suffered a fatal heart attack on Tuesday. The devastating news reached Dunith while he was still out on the field in Sharjah, helping Sri Lanka to a hard-fought win against Afghanistan.
It was former Sri Lankan cricketer-turned-commentator Russell Arnold who first shared the news with viewers during the live broadcast. His voice carried a somber tone as he extended condolences to the Wellalage family, a moment that cast a shadow over what should have been a celebratory evening for the Sri Lankan side.
Inside the dressing room, the mood was understandably heavy. Teammates, some visibly shaken, gathered around the 22-year-old spinner to offer their support. “It’s heartbreaking for all of us. Dunith has been like a younger brother in the squad. Our thoughts are with him and his family,” one team official said after the match.
Wellalage, who has been a rising figure in Sri Lankan cricket since his Under-19 days, chose to stay with the team through the game, even as the shocking news unfolded. According to reports, he is now expected to fly back home to be with his family during this difficult time.
Suranga Wellalage was known in cricket circles not only as a former school captain but also as someone who quietly supported his son’s journey to international cricket. Friends from the local cricketing community have described him as a passionate follower of the game who rarely missed a chance to watch his son play.
For Sri Lanka, the victory over Afghanistan was important in the context of the Asia Cup, but celebrations were muted. The focus, for now, has shifted away from cricket to the young spinner’s personal loss.
The Sri Lanka Cricket board is expected to issue an official statement soon, while tributes from former players and fans continue to pour in on social media.
