Sri Lankan bowler Dunith Wellalage suffered a personal tragedy during the Asia Cup 2025 match against Afghanistan on Thursday, September 18. While representing his country at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, Dunith’s father, Suranga Wellalage, died of a heart attack.
Dunith Wellalage proceeded to play in the game while being unaware of the incident, and Sri Lanka won.
However, the young cricketer learnt of the tragic news only after the match. A video circulating on social media shows Sri Lanka’s head coach, Sanath Jayasuriya, imparting the awful news to Wellalage on the pitch. In the video, Jayasuriya can be seen laying a consoling arm around the bowler’s shoulder while speaking to him, offering support in the aftermath of the sad loss.
No son should go through this💔
Jayasuriya & team manager right after the game communicated Dinuth Wellalage the news of his father’s passing away.pic.twitter.com/KbmQrHTCju
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) September 18, 2025
“Dunith Wellalage’s father, Suranga, passed away just a while ago. He played a bit of cricket too. You know how big our school cricket scene is. He captained Prince of Wales College when I captained my school, St Peter’s,” Russel Arnold said while commentating on Sony Sports Network.
“Quite sad to hear that. The news was broken to Dunith just a while ago. And our condolences to the family. The celebrations will be muted. The team is a tight place, the dressing room. Hopefully, this bonds them and helps them go on and do well in the Super 4 stage,” he added.
Suranga, a cricketer, led Prince of Wales College but never represented the national team. Dunith struggled on the pitch during Sri Lanka’s final Group B match. The left-arm spinner gave 49 runs in four overs, taking only one wicket.
His most challenging moment came against Afghanistan veteran Mohammad Nabi, who hit him for five sixes in one over en route to a scorching 60 off 22 balls. Despite Afghanistan’s valiant efforts, Sri Lanka finally triumphed, putting Afghanistan out of the competition.
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