The cricketing fraternity is mourning the death of former Sri Lanka Cricket President Upali Dharmadasa, one of the game’s longest-serving administrators, who passed away at the age of 74.

Dharmadasa’s association with cricket administration stretched back to 1989. A towering figure in local cricket, he headed Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic Club for several years and played a pivotal role in transforming the club into one of the country’s leading domestic forces.

He entered the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka in 1989 and went on to serve as vice-president under P.I. Peiris, Tyrone Fernando, Gamini Dissanayake and Ana Punchihewa before being elected President in 1996.

It was during his tenure that Sri Lanka rewrote the record books by amassing a world record 952 for six declared against India at RPS.

Dharmadasa also represented Sri Lanka with distinction at the international level, serving on multiple occasions as a Director of the International Cricket Council. Affable, approachable and blessed with a sharp sense of humour, he often relied on his easy going nature to navigate some of the sport’s most testing moments.

One such episode came in 2011 after Kumar Sangakkara delivered the prestigious Cowdrey Lecture at Lord’s. While the speech was widely hailed as one of the finest in cricket history, then Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage demanded that Sri Lanka Cricket launch an inquiry and impose a fine on Sangakkara.

As SLC President, Dharmadasa came under intense political pressure. Ever the pragmatist, he invited Sangakkara to dinner instead. After the meal, he smiled and said, “I’m going to fine you. Your punishment is that you pay the bill.”

The matter ended there.

Although he stepped away from Sri Lanka Cricket over the last decade, Dharmadasa remained deeply involved in club cricket. He continued to mentor young cricketers, providing employment and support to many aspiring players as they sought to establish themselves in the game.

Away from cricket, he ventured into the hospitality industry, opening Upali’s, a restaurant in Colombo 7 that became renowned for its authentic Sri Lankan cuisine and a favourite among locals and tourists alike.

Dharmadasa’s remains lie at his residence in Rajagiriya. The cremation will take place on Wednesday afternoon at Kanatte Cemetery.