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From grief to grit: Sri Lankan all-rounder Dunith Wellalage set to rejoin Team
BY REX CLEMENTINE
Return Amid Grief
Sri Lankan all-rounder Dunith Wellalage will rejoin his teammates on Saturday morning ahead of their Super Four clash later in the evening in Dubai. The 22-year-old had rushed home on Thursday night, only hours after Sri Lanka’s win over Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi, following the sudden death of his father.
Suranga Wellalage, 52, collapsed while watching the game on television at his Moratuwa home. Despite being rushed to hospital, he could not be revived, the victim of a fatal heart attack. A former cricketer with Prince of Wales College and his son’s first coach, Suranga had been a guiding force in Dunith’s career.
A Bitter-Sweet Return to Action
For the young all-rounder, it had been a painful comeback to international cricket, his first since November 2024. Skipper Charith Asalanka trusted him with the final over against the experienced Mohammad Nabi, but it turned into a nightmare. Nabi launched five sixes off him, leaving Wellalage’s figures at 32 runs in an over — the second most expensive by a Sri Lankan in T20Is.
To add to his misery, he had earlier spilled a chance off Nabi when the Afghan veteran was on just five. Moments later, however, Sri Lanka sealed a six-wicket win — a triumph instantly overshadowed by the devastating news that awaited Wellalage.
Shock and Solidarity
Team manager Mahinda Halangoda accompanied Wellalage on the late-night flight to Colombo, while the rest of the squad struggled to come to terms with the tragedy. The victory celebrations were understandably subdued.
Future Leader in the Making
Despite the personal heartbreak and professional setbacks of the past week, Wellalage remains one of Sri Lanka’s most exciting young prospects. A promising left-arm spinner and handy lower-order bat, he captained Sri Lanka Under-19s and is already being tipped as a future senior captain.
Sri Lanka, unbeaten in Group B after victories over Bangladesh and Afghanistan, will now look to rally around Wellalage as they aim to carry their momentum into the Super Four stage. Even the spirited challenge from Hong Kong, who fell just three wickets short, has not shaken the team’s confidence.
(www.telecomasia.net)
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Landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura
The National Building Research Institute [NBRI] has issued Landslide Early Warnings to the Districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura valid upto 0900 AM on 23rd May 2026.
Accordingly,
LEVEL I [RED] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Deraniyagala, Ruwanwella and Dehiowita in the Kegalle district and Ratnapura, Ayagama, Kuruwita and Eheliyagoda in the Ratnapura district.
LEVEL II [AMBER] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Seethawaka and Padukka in the Colombo district, Attanagalla in the Gampaha district, Horana, Bulathsinhala, Ingiriya and Palindanuwara in the Kalutara district, Yatiyanthota in the Kegalle district and Pelmadulla, Kiriella, Elapatha, Kalawana and Nivithigala in the Rathnapura district.
LEVEL I [YELLOW] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Mirigama and Divulapitiya in the Gampaha district, Agalawatta and Mathugama in the Kalutara district, Bulathkohupitiya in the Kegalle district and Ambagamuwa in the Nuwara Eliya district.
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Minor flood situation likely to occur within the next few hours in the low-lying floodplain areas of the Kalu River
Based on the heavy rainfall currently being received in the Kalu River Basin and the analysis of water level data recorded at hydrological gauging stations maintained by the Irrigation Department within the Kalu River Basin, it is hereby warned that a Minor Flood Situation is likely to occur within the next
few hours in the low-lying floodplain areas of the Kalu River.
The affected areas include the Divisional Secretariat Divisions of Ratnapura, Kuruwita, Ayagama, Elapatha, Kiriella in Ratnapura District.
The public residing in these areas, as well as motorists and passengers travelling through the affected regions, are strongly requested to act with utmost vigilance and to take all necessary
precautions. Disaster Management Authorities are requested to take necessary actions in this regard.
A considerable rainfall has occurred in the catchment areas of the Aththanagalu Oya Basin as atb5.00 AM today (22).
By analyzing the current rainfall situation and river water levels of Hydrological Stations on the Aththanagalu Oya, there is a possibility of a flood situation occuring in some low lying
areas of the Aththanagalu Oya and Uruwal Oya valleys situated in Diwulapitiya, Mirigama, Attanagalla, Mahara, Gampaha, Minuwangoda, Ja-ela, Katana and Wattala Div8sional Secretaries Divisions within next 48 hours.
Owing to this situation, there is a possibility of some of the roads running through these lowlying areas being inundated at some places.
The public residing in these areas, as well as motorists traveling through these regions, are requested to exercise extreme caution regarding this situation.
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Landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura
Minor flood situation likely to occur within the next few hours in the low-lying floodplain areas of the Kalu River
Flood warning issued to low lying areas of the Aththanagalu Oya and Uruwal Oya valleys
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