By Bevan Perera
On September 18, 2025, Sri Lankan all-rounder Dunith Wellalage stepped onto the field in Abu Dhabi to represent his country in a crucial Asia Cup match against Afghanistan.
Unbeknownst to him, his father, Suranga Wellalage, was watching from home in Colombo, proud yet anxious, as any father would be. Tragically, Suranga suffered a fatal heart attack during the match — a moment that would forever change Dunith’s life.1
The match itself was bittersweet. Sri Lanka won, but Dunith had a rough outing, conceding 32 runs in the final over, including five sixes from Mohammad Nabi — a moment that quickly became fodder for online trolls.2
The Cruelty of the Crowd Behind the Screen
In today’s digital age, a single poor performance can spark a wildfire of abuse. Social media platforms, once meant to connect fans and players, have become breeding grounds for bullying, harassment, and emotional torment. A study by the International Olympic Committee revealed that up to one-third of posts directed at athletes contain negative content, often laced with racism, sexism, and hate.3
Cricketers like Mohammed Shami, Hasan Ali, and Chris Jordan have faced vile abuse for moments that didn’t go their way. These are not just statistics — they are human beings with families, emotions, and dreams. The mental toll is immense. Some players have admitted to avoiding their phones for days, unable to sleep, haunted by anonymous hate.3
Suranga Wellalage: A Father’s Quiet Sacrifice
Suranga was a former cricketer himself, having captained Prince of Wales College, a respected figure in Sri Lanka’s school cricket scene.2He lived humbly, never seeking the spotlight despite his son’s rising fame. But like any father, he must have feared the cruelty of public judgment, especially when his son faltered.
We often forget that behind every cricketer is a family that sacrifices everything — time, money, comfort — to help their child chase a dream. And when that dream is mocked, ridiculed, and torn apart by faceless trolls, it’s not just the player who suffers. It’s the entire family.
Did the stress of seeing his son trolled contribute to his heart attack? We may never know. But it’s a question that lingers painfully.
Let’s Be Better Fans
Cricket is a game of glorious highs and crushing lows. Players will fail. They will get dropped. They will rise again. That’s the beauty of sport. But if you cannot accept defeat with grace, you have no business being a fan.
Let’s stop treating cricketers like machines. Let’s stop measuring their worth by a single over or a dropped catch. Let’s remember that they play with passion, pride, and pain — and sometimes, that pain is too much to bear.
Let Suranga Wellalage’s passing be a wake-up call. Real Fans of Sports it’s time to stand up!
A Personal Note
As someone who grew up playing softball with Suranga in our neighborhood in Francisco Place, Moratuwa — before we went on to represent opposing schools in leatherball cricket — this loss hits close to home. I can vouch Suranga and his wife were not just Dunith’s father and mother; They were mentors, supporters, and a quiet pillar of strength.
*The writer is a former cricketer of St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa.
Leave a comment