Meet Dunith Wellalage’s Parents: Suranga Niroshan Wellalage and Harshani Kanchana Wellalage

Dunith Nethmika Wellalage was born on January 9, 2003, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, into a family where sports were more than just recreation—they were a way of life.

Inspired by his father’s cricket trophies, he grew up with a deep passion for the game, balancing academics with his love for cricket.

At one point, he even stepped back from the Sri Lanka Under-19 team to focus on his O/L exams, only to return stronger as captain, a decision that revealed both his discipline and determination.

A proud Sinhalese and practicing Buddhist, Dunith was raised by his parents, Suranga Niroshan Wellalage and Harshani Kanchana Wellalage. His father, a former wicketkeeper-batsman turned businessman, played a pivotal role in shaping his cricket journey before his untimely passing from a heart attack on September 18, 2025.

His mother, a homemaker, remains a steady influence, while his brothers, Pulina Senath Wellalage, who shifted from cricket to badminton, and Chamath Chithira Wellalage, an aspiring cricketer, reflect the family’s strong athletic spirit.

Educated at St. Sebastian’s College in Moratuwa and later St. Joseph’s College in Colombo, Dunith honed both his academic foundation and sporting excellence in some of Sri Lanka’s most respected institutions.

Standing at 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m), Dunith is currently unmarried and has no children, though he is in a relationship with Deanne De Silva, a marketing student. His career, however, has been the defining force of his young life.

A left-handed batsman and slow left-arm orthodox bowler, he burst onto the international scene in June 2022 against Australia and quickly earned recognition by captaining the Under-19 side at the ICC World Cup that same year.

His ODI debut was nothing short of spectacular, earning him Player of the Match honors and cementing his reputation as one of Sri Lanka’s brightest cricketing prospects.

Now 22, Dunith’s journey is still unfolding, yet his story already intertwines triumph with tragedy. The loss of his father just as his career gathers momentum adds a layer of poignancy to his rise, underscoring the sacrifices and quiet resilience of the family that nurtured his talent.

Suranga Niroshan Wellalage

Suranga Niroshan Wellalage was the cricketing heartbeat of the Wellalage family, a former wicketkeeper-batsman whose schoolboy exploits at Prince of Wales College in Moratuwa ignited a lifelong passion for the game.

Balancing his love for cricket with entrepreneurial grit, Suranga ran a small shop in Jubilee, Moratuwa, embodying the resilience of everyday Sri Lankans.

His sacrifices were profound—he even stepped back from his business to prioritize his son’s burgeoning career, ensuring Dunith had the resources and focus to chase international dreams. It was Suranga‘s gleaming trophies that first captivated young Dunith, inspiring him to pick up the bat and ball.

This paternal guidance shaped Dunith‘s all-around prowess, from his early days at St. Sebastian’s College in Moratuwa to his breakthrough at St. Joseph’s College in Colombo.

Tragically, Suranga‘s life ended abruptly on September 18, 2025, at age 54, succumbing to a heart attack just hours after watching his son excel in Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup clash against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi.

A postmortem revealed the attack compounded a long-term illness, with Suranga collapsing while viewing the match from home in Colombo. Dunith, oblivious during the game, was informed by team manager Ashan Malinda post-victory and rushed back for the funeral, missing key fixtures.

Tributes flooded in from cricket luminaries; head coach Sanath Jayasuriya mourned, “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Suranga Wellalage, a father, a cricketer, and a man who raised a son the entire nation is proud of.”

Harshani Kanchana Wellalage

Harshani Kanchana Wellalage was the steady flame sustaining the family’s fire. A devoted homemaker, Harshani anchored the household in Colombo, creating a sanctuary where her children could flourish amid the demands of sport.

Her quiet fortitude shone brightest in the aftermath of Suranga‘s death, as she provided poignant statements to police and the coroner, navigating grief with grace while supporting her sons.

Harshani‘s nurturing extended beyond the home; she championed holistic development, fostering an environment where athletics thrived.

Alongside Dunith, she raised two younger sons: Pulina Senath Wellalage, a former cricket prodigy who swept age-group titles from under-11 to under-17 before pivoting to badminton, and Chamath Chithira Wellalage, an emerging cricketer treading his brother’s path.

In a 2022 interview, Dunith reflected on his mother’s influence: “My success is all the others’ success too,” a testament to her selfless role in their triumphs. A devout Hindu family man born under Capricorn, Dunith keeps his personal life low-key, though whispers of a relationship with marketing student Deanne De Silva hint at the balanced values Harshani instilled.