Famous Sri Lankan Sportspersons

Kumar Sangakkara is a retired Sri Lankan cricketer known for his exceptional skills as a wicket-keeper-batter. He represented Sri Lanka in 134 Test matches, captaining the team in fifteen matches. Sangakkara played for Nondescripts Cricket Club and Surrey County Cricket Club in first-class cricket. He excelled in all three forms of international cricket, being the second-highest run-scorer overall with 28,016 runs and 63 centuries. Post-retirement, he has worked as a commentator for Sky Sports, served as President of the MCC, and coached Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. Sangakkara was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in June 2021.

Muttiah Muralitharan is a former professional cricketer, cricket coach, and businessman from Sri Lanka. Known for his exceptional bowling skills, he is regarded as one of the greatest players in cricket history. Muralitharan holds the record for the most Test wickets and has also achieved significant success in One Day Internationals. Despite facing controversy surrounding his bowling action, he was cleared by the International Cricket Council after analysis. Throughout his career, he dominated the sport and received numerous accolades, including being inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.

Lasith Malinga, a former Sri Lankan cricketer, is widely recognized as one of the greatest limited-overs bowlers from Sri Lanka. Known for his unorthodox bowling action and exceptional death bowling skills, he made a significant impact on the cricket world. Malinga holds various bowling records, including multiple hat-tricks across different formats and the unique feat of taking 4 wickets in 4 balls twice in international cricket. He captained Sri Lanka to a T20 World Cup victory in 2014 and retired from all forms of cricket in 2021.

Sanath Jayasuriya is a former Sri Lankan cricketer and captain, widely regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders in ODI cricket history. Known for his explosive batting, powerful striking, and match-winning performances, Jayasuriya revolutionized one-day international cricket with his aggressive playing style. He played a key role in Sri Lanka's 1996 Cricket World Cup victory and holds the record for scoring over 10,000 runs and capturing more than 300 wickets in ODIs. Jayasuriya also had a successful career as a cricket administrator and briefly ventured into politics.

Tillakaratne Mudiyanselage Dilshan, known as TM Dilshan, is a former Sri Lankan cricketer and ex-captain of the national team. Renowned for his innovative playing style, he excelled in all aspects of the game – batting, bowling, fielding, and wicket-keeping. Dilshan's career highlights include being the top run-scorer in the 2011 Cricket World Cup, inventing the Dilscoop shot, and scoring centuries in all formats as a captain. He achieved significant milestones such as scoring 10,000 ODI runs and being a key player in the team's victories at major tournaments. Dilshan retired from ODI and T20I cricket in 2016, leaving a lasting legacy in modern cricket history.

Angelo Mathews is a renowned Sri Lankan cricketer who has excelled as both a player and captain for his national team. He has been a pivotal member in major cricket tournaments such as the ICC World Twenty20 and Cricket World Cup. Mathews holds the record for the highest ninth-wicket partnership in ODI cricket, showcasing his talent and resilience on the field. With numerous achievements under his belt, including leading his team to victory in the Asia Cup, Mathews continues to make significant contributions to Sri Lankan cricket.

Arjuna Ranatunga is a former Sri Lankan cricketer who led the national team to victory in the 1996 Cricket World Cup. After retiring from cricket, he transitioned into politics, serving in various roles within the Sri Lanka Cricket administration and as a cabinet Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation. Ranatunga has been involved in politics since 2005, holding positions within different political parties and serving in parliament. He is known for his contributions to nurturing young cricket talents and has recently been appointed as the interim head of Sri Lanka Cricket.

Aravinda de Silva is a former Sri Lankan cricketer and captain, known as one of the best cricketers from Sri Lanka. He played as an all-rounder and was a key member of the team that won the 1996 Cricket World Cup. De Silva scored a match-winning century in the final, elevating Sri Lanka's status in the cricket world. He has held various roles in Sri Lankan Cricket post-retirement. Inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame, he holds records like being the only player to score a century and take three wickets in a World Cup final.

Ajantha Mendis is a former Sri Lankan international cricketer known for his unique bowling action variations, earning him the nickname "mystery spinner." He played for the Sri Lankan national cricket team across all formats and was a key member of the squad that won the 2014 ICC World Twenty20. Mendis achieved various records in his career, including the fastest 50 wickets in ODIs and taking an eight-wicket haul on Test debut. He also received accolades such as the Emerging Player of the Year award at the ICC Awards ceremony.

Kusal Perera is a prominent Sri Lankan cricketer known for his contributions in limited overs cricket. He has showcased remarkable performances in international matches, including a crucial innings against South Africa in 2019, which earned him accolades from Wisden and ESPNcricinfo. Having played a significant role in Sri Lanka's success in the 2014 ICC World Twenty20, Perera's skills and leadership qualities led to his appointment as the ODI captain in 2021. He continues to represent Sri Lanka with distinction in various formats, including the T20 World Cup.

Susanthika Jayasinghe is a retired Sri Lankan sprinter known for her achievements in the 100m and 200m events. She won an Olympic silver medal in the 200m at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, making her the first Asian woman to win an Olympic or World Championship medal in a sprint event. Jayasinghe is also the only Asian athlete to have claimed an Olympic medal in sprint events and the first and only Sri Lankan to win a medal at the World Athletics Championships. Despite facing political controversies, false doping allegations, and injury concerns, she remains one of the most decorated sprinters in Sri Lanka.

Dinesh Chandimal is a professional Sri Lankan cricketer known for his skills as a right-handed middle-order batter and occasional wicket-keeper. He has served as the captain of the Sri Lanka national cricket team and led them to victory in the 2014 ICC World Twenty20. Additionally, Chandimal joined the Sri Lankan Army as a volunteer commissioned officer, allowing him to play for the Sri Lanka Army Sports Club. In August 2020, he achieved a notable milestone by scoring the highest ever in domestic first-class cricket in Sri Lanka with an unbeaten 354 runs against Saracenc CC.

Marvan Atapattu is a former Sri Lankan cricketer, coach, and commentator. Known for his strong technical skills, he played for Sri Lanka for 17 years, scoring six double centuries in Test cricket. Atapattu captained the Sri Lankan team to victory in the 2004 Asia Cup and was part of the squad that won the 1996 Cricket World Cup. He has also coached the Canada and Singapore national cricket teams and served as the head coach of the Sri Lankan Cricket Team from April 2014 to September 2015.

Dhananjaya de Silva is a professional Sri Lankan cricketer who plays for Sri Lanka in all formats of the game and for Tamil Union in domestic cricket. He currently serves as the captain of the national team in Test matches. In November 2017, he was recognized as the Test batsman of the year for the 2016-17 season at Sri Lanka Cricket's annual awards. Dhananjaya's career highlights include his contributions to the Sri Lankan team across different formats and his leadership role in Test cricket.

Kusal Mendis is a professional Sri Lankan cricketer known for his role as a top-order batter in all formats of the game. Despite only playing sixteen first-class matches, he quickly rose to prominence and became the captain of the national ODI team. In November 2017, he was recognized as the One Day International (ODI) batsman of the year for the 2016-17 season at Sri Lanka Cricket's annual awards. Mendis has established himself as a key player in Sri Lanka's cricketing landscape with his impressive batting skills and leadership qualities.

Thisara Perera is a former Sri Lankan international cricketer who played all formats for the national team and captained in limited-overs formats. Domestically, he played for Sri Lanka Army Sports Club and the Jaffna Stallions. Perera excelled in franchise T20 cricket globally. He is known for his aggressive left-handed batting style, big hitting in death overs, and right-arm medium-fast bowling skills. Perera was part of the 2014 ICC World Twenty20-winning team and achieved the feat of taking hat-tricks in both ODI and T20I matches. He holds records for notable batting performances and announced his retirement from international cricket in May 2021 while continuing domestic and franchise cricket.

Akila Dananjaya is a professional Sri Lankan cricketer known for playing all forms of the game for the national team. He made headlines in March 2021 when he became the first bowler to take a hat-trick and be hit for six sixes in the same match by Kieron Pollard. Despite facing suspensions for his bowling action being deemed illegal in international matches in 2018 and 2019, he worked to correct this and was eventually cleared to bowl again in January 2021.

Duncan White was a renowned Sri Lankan sportsman who made history as the first Ceylonese athlete to secure an Olympic medal, winning silver in the 400-metre hurdles at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London. He was a pioneer in South Asian track and field, following in the footsteps of Norman Pritchard of India. White's achievements in the Olympics brought recognition to Sri Lanka on the global sporting stage, inspiring future athletes like Susanthika Jayasinghe to further success.

Chamari Atapattu, also known as Chamari Athapaththu, is a prominent Sri Lankan cricketer and the current captain of the women's Twenty20 International team. She holds the distinction of being the tenth captain for Sri Lanka's women's national cricket team and was awarded the Women's Cricketer of the Year for the 2016–17 season. Chamari made history as the first Sri Lankan woman to play in franchise cricket. In recognition of her achievements, a dedicated seating zone at the Sydney Cricket Ground was named the Chamari Bay in her honor.

Ranatunge Karunananda was a prominent Sri Lankan athlete known for his long-distance running skills. He represented his country during the 1960s and 1970s, showcasing his talent on various competitive platforms. In particular, Karunananda took part in the 10,000-meter race at the 1964 Summer Olympics held in Tokyo. His dedication to the sport and his participation in international events like the Olympics highlighted his commitment to excellence in long-distance running, leaving a lasting impression on the athletic community.

Denagamage Praboth Mahela de Silva Jayawardene is a retired Sri Lankan cricketer known for his exceptional batting skills and leadership on the field. He captained the Sri Lankan national cricket team and achieved numerous milestones in his career, including scoring over 10,000 runs in both Test and One Day International cricket. Jayawardene was part of winning teams in various ICC events and earned recognition as an outstanding fielder. He continues to contribute to cricket as a sports council chairman, commentator, and board member.

Niluka Karunaratne is a prominent Sri Lankan badminton player known for his exceptional achievements in the sport. He has represented his country at multiple Olympics and holds the title of being the most decorated badminton player in Sri Lanka. With a remarkable record of 21 medals, including 9 gold medals at international events, Karunaratne has established himself as a top player in the sport. He has also attained a career-high singles ranking and has been a national badminton champion for a record number of times.

Ravi Jayewardene was a notable Sri Lankan aviator and sports shooter. He served as the National Security Adviser in his father's administration. Known for his expertise in aviation and shooting, Jayewardene made significant contributions in both fields. His professional life was marked by his dedication to national security and his commitment to excellence in aviation and sports shooting. Jayewardene's role as a National Security Adviser showcased his leadership abilities and strategic thinking, making him a respected figure in Sri Lanka's political and security landscape.

Suranga Lakmal is a former professional Sri Lankan cricketer who excelled as a right-arm fast bowler and right-handed batsman. He captained the Test cricket team and made significant contributions in both Test and limited overs formats. Despite facing challenges such as injuries sustained during the 2009 Lahore attacks, he displayed resilience and skill throughout his career. Known for his accurate bowling and ability to generate swing, Lakmal garnered praise for his dedication to the team and his performances in away conditions. He retired from international cricket in 2022 after a successful career.

Duleep Mendis is a former Sri Lankan cricketer and ex-captain of the national team. He led Sri Lanka to their first Test series win in 1985, showcasing his leadership skills. Known as a specialist batsman, Mendis excelled in the period from 1982 to 1985. Post-retirement, he transitioned to coaching and currently serves as the coach of the Oman national cricket team. Recognized for his contributions, Mendis was honored with the prestigious Deshamanya award in 1996, highlighting his significant impact on Sri Lankan cricket.

Rumesh Ratnayake is a former Sri Lankan cricketer known for his role as a right-arm fast-medium bowler who could swing the ball and generate pace and bounce. He played 23 Test matches and 70 One Day Internationals from 1982 to 1993, spearheading the Sri Lankan fast bowling attack. Ratnayake also showcased his batting skills, scoring Test match fifties against Pakistan and England. He has served as the interim head coach of the Sri Lanka national cricket team and currently works as a fast bowling coach attached to the High Performance Center of Sri Lanka Cricket.

Chamari Athapaththu is a prominent Sri Lankan cricketer known for her leadership as the captain of Sri Lanka's women's Twenty20 International team. She has made significant contributions to the sport, being named the Women's Cricketer of the Year for the 2016–17 season by Sri Lanka Cricket. Chamari made history as the first Sri Lankan woman to play in franchise cricket. Her achievements have been recognized internationally, with a seating zone at the Sydney Cricket Ground named in her honor as the Chamari Bay.

Udeni Dona is a talented cricketer from Sri Lanka, currently representing the United Arab Emirates national cricket team. She made her Women's Twenty20 International debut in July 2018, playing against the Netherlands in the World Twenty20 Qualifier. Dona's skills and dedication have earned her a spot in the UAE squad for the 2018 ICC Women's World Twenty20 Qualifier tournament. With a promising career ahead of her, she continues to make valuable contributions to her team's success on the international cricket stage.

Shashikala Siriwardene is a former Sri Lankan cricketer who captained the national women's cricket team in WODIs. She is known for being the only woman cricketer from Sri Lanka to achieve 100 wickets in WODIs and 1,000+ runs. With 77 wickets, she holds the record for the most wickets in WT20I for Sri Lanka. Over her 17-year career, she played a key role in international matches and has served as a prominent figure in Sri Lankan women's cricket. Outside of cricket, she has worked in human resources for a clothing company and has been associated with the Sri Lanka Navy since 2011.