Colombo: Former Sri Lanka U-19 cricket team captain Dhammika Niroshana (41) was shot dead at his residence in Ambalangoda, a small town in Galle district, on Tuesday night.
According to local media, the right-arm pacer was shot with a 12-bore rifle by an unidentified person while at home with his wife and two children.
Sri Lanka police suspect the killing to be the fallout of an underworld gang rivalry.
Reports further stated that Niroshana had fled the country after the murder of one of his close friends Dasun Manawadu in the Ambalangoda area, and returned to the island nation three months ago.
Investigation is underway to ascertain whether there is a link between Niroshana’s killing and the murder of first-class cricketer and former southern region cricket administrator H Premasiri, who was shot by an unidentified gunman near his residence on August 12, 2016, over a suspected international match-fixing racket.
Niroshana made his debut for the Sri Lankan U19 side in 2000 and played under-19 Test and ODI cricket for two years. He also captained the Sri Lankan U19 team in 10 games. Although he never made it to the senior team, he played alongside Angelo Mathews, Upul Tharanga, Dinesh Chandimal at the U-19 level. Niroshana played his last competitive cricket match in December 2004.
Notably, India will be touring Sri Lanka for white-ball series later this month. The T20I series will be played from July 27 to 30 whereas the ODI series is scheduled from August 2 to 7.
(With inputs from IANS)
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