Lasith Malinga Biography: Wife, Age, Children, Net Worth, Height, Parents, Career, IPL Records

Lasith Malinga, nicknamed “Slinga Malinga,” is a former Sri Lankan cricketer and one of the greatest limited-overs bowlers, known for his unique round-arm action and devastating yorkers.

Born on August 28, 1983, in Galle, Sri Lanka, he captained Sri Lanka to the 2014 T20 World Cup title and holds records for the most international hat-tricks and four wickets in four balls.

Profile

• Full Name: Separamadu Lasith Malinga
• Stage Name: Lasith Malinga (nicknamed “Slinga Malinga”)
• Born: August 28, 1983
• Age: 41 years old
• Birthplace: Galle, Sri Lanka
• Nationality: Sri Lankan
• Occupation: Sri Lankan Former Cricketer, and Bowling Coach
• Height: 1.73 m (5 feet 8 inches)
• Parents: Separamadu Milton Malinga (father, retired bus mechanic), and Swarna Thenuwara (mother)
• Siblings: unknown
• Spouse: Tanya Perera (married 2010)
• Children: 2, Duvin Separamadu (son), and Ekeesha Separamadu (daughter)
• Relationship: Married to Tanya Perera
• Net Worth: $1 million to $10 million

Early Life and Education

Lasith Malinga was born on August 28, 1983, in Galle, Sri Lanka, and grew up in the modest coastal village of Rathgama. He played soft-ball cricket on the beach with friends, which shaped his unorthodox bowling action due to the sandy conditions requiring extra force.

His raw talent was spotted by former Sri Lankan pacer Champaka Ramanayake, who invited him to join the Galle Cricket Club. Malinga attended Vidyathilake Vidyalaya in Thiranagama for primary education and, after passing the grade 5 Scholarship Examination in 1993, enrolled at Vidyaloka College in Galle for secondary education, where he began his cricket career.

He later joined Mahinda College, Galle, a turning point that put him in the spotlight of national selectors. No higher education is documented, as he pursued cricket professionally from a young age.

Career

Malinga debuted for Sri Lanka in a Test match against Australia on July 1, 2004, taking 6 wickets, including Darren Lehmann and Adam Gilchrist. His unique round-arm action and searing yorkers made him a standout, particularly in limited-overs cricket.

He became the first bowler to take four wickets in four consecutive balls (vs. South Africa, 2007 World Cup) and holds the record for five international hat-tricks (three ODI, two T20I), including two World Cup hat-tricks (2007, 2011).

He played 30 Tests (101 wickets), 226 ODIs (338 wickets, 8 five-wicket hauls), and 84 T20Is (107 wickets, leading T20I wicket-taker). Malinga captained Sri Lanka to the 2014 T20 World Cup title, defeating India in the final, and was vice-captain of the T20I team (2012–2015).

In the IPL, he played for Mumbai Indians (2008–2019), taking 170 wickets, the second-highest in IPL history, and won four titles. He retired from Tests in 2011 due to a chronic knee injury, ODIs in 2019, and all cricket in 2021. Post-retirement, he coaches, notably as Rajasthan Royals’ bowling coach since 2022 and Mumbai Indians in 2025.

Awards and Nominations

• Won: ICC T20 World Cup Player of the Tournament (2011 Champions League T20)
• Won: Dialog SLC ODI Bowler of the Year (2015)
• Won: Dialog SLC T20I Bowler of the Year (2015)
• Won: Man of the Match, 2014 T20 World Cup Final
• Won: 7 Player of the Match awards (2011–2019)
• Nominated: ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Decade (2020)
• Nominated: ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Decade (2020)
• Named: ESPNcricinfo CLT20 XI (2011), ICC World ODI XI (2011–2013), ESPNcricinfo T20 World Cup Team of the Tournament (2009)

His record-breaking hat-tricks and T20 World Cup leadership are globally celebrated.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @malinga_ninety_nine
• Facebook Handle: @LasithMalinga99

Personal Life

Malinga lives in Melbourne, Australia, with properties in Galle, Sri Lanka. He married Tanya Perera, a professional choreographer, in 2010 after meeting during an advertisement shoot. They have two children: son Duvin and daughter Ekeesha.

A Sinhala Buddhist, Malinga sports tattoos reflecting Lankan pride and personal milestones. Known for kissing the ball before deliveries, he faced no major controversies but stirred debate with his 2011 Test retirement during IPL, citing knee injuries. He enjoys singing, as seen in a viral 2024 video, and spends time with family.

Filmography

• 2007 ICC World Twenty20 (2007, TV special) – Self
• 2011 Cricket World Cup (2011, TV special)

Net Worth

Lasith Malinga’s net worth is estimated at $1 million to $10 million, accumulated through his cricket career (Tests, ODIs, T20Is), IPL contracts with Mumbai Indians, endorsements, and coaching roles with Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians.