Former Sri Lankan spinner and cricket administrator Jayananda Warnaweera passed away at the age of 64. The veteran cricketer represented Sri Lanka in 10 Tests and six ODIs between 1986 and 1994 before transitioning into administrative and curatorial roles in Sri Lankan cricket.
Sri Lanka Cricket Pays Tribute
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Warnaweera, extending condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones. As a mark of respect, the Sri Lanka Womenโs team wore black armbands during their Womenโs World Cup 2025 match against South Africa at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The team also observed a minuteโs silence before the start of the game.
โ๐ป๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐บ๐๐ ๐ณ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฑ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐พ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐. ๐ฏ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ,โ ๐๐๐ ๐บ๐ณ๐ช ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐.
Warnaweeraโs Impact on and off the Field
Warnaweera played a pivotal role in the development of the Galle International Stadium, serving as its curator after his retirement. His connection to the venue was special, as he was instrumental in preparing the pitch for its first international fixture โ a Test match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in 1992.
As a right-arm off-spinner, Warnaweera delivered several memorable performances, including a 4/25 spell in that match, which helped Sri Lanka clinch the series 1-0. His best Test figures came against England, where he claimed 8/188 (4/90 and 4/98) in a single match.
โ๐ฎ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐. ๐ฏ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ,โ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐พ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐โ๐ ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐.
Legacy Beyond Cricket
Although his international career was brief due to concerns over his bowling action, Warnaweera made a significant mark in domestic cricket, taking 287 wickets in 68 matches at an average of 19.96, with 22 five-wicket hauls and six ten-wicket hauls.
Beyond playing, he continued serving the sport as a Member of the Executive Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket, Secretary of the Southern Provincial Cricket Association, and Secretary of the Galle District Cricket Association.
Warnaweeraโs passing marks the end of an era for Sri Lankan cricket โ a player, curator, and administrator whose devotion to the game left an indelible legacy.
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