Having lost his father during Sri Lanka’s last group game against Afghanistan, spinner Dunith Wellalage showed immense gut and gumption to return to national duties for the match against Bangladesh in the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup 2025. To put a personal tragedy aside and don the jersey soon thereafter to represent his country is an admirable feat indeed.
The 21-year-old rushed back home to attend his father Suranga Wellalage’s last rites and linked up with the team after paying tributes to his loved one. Wellalage’s commitment to the task at hand earned him praise from former Sri Lanka cricketer Russel Arnold. A minute of silence was also observed by the players and fans alike ahead of the aforementioned match in honour of the soul that left for heavenly abode.
A video of Wellalage waving off his family members is making rounds on social media as he leaves for the UAE along with the Sri Lanka team manager. The left-arm spinner arrived in the UAE on the morning of September 20 ahead of the Bangladesh clash.
Suranga was a respected cricketer who once captained one of Sri Lanka’s leading school teams. He skippered Prince of Wales College at a time when Arnold himself led St Peter’s College. Sri Lanka head coach Sanath Jayasuriya also expressed his condolences to Wellalage and assured him that he has the support of the entire country.
