Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026 matches will be seen with players competing wearing black armbands on Sunday (July 26). Actually, Sri Lanka Cricket has been left in deep mourning after the passing of former Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President Upali Dharmadasa.
The former SLC president, Upali Dharmadasa, has passed away at the age of 71 on Sunday. His passing has left the entire cricket community in mourning, as Dharmadasa was one of the respected administrators who worked for the growth of cricket in the country. Amid this, Kavya Maran shares vision after Sunrisers Leeds takeover.
LPL 2026 players to wear black armbands in tribute to Upali Dharmadasa
The SLC has confirmed that the players featuring in Sunday’s Lanka Premier League 2026 (LPL 2026) matches at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium will wear black armbands to pay honour to Upali Dharmadasa and his contributions to the game.
This special tribute will be paid during both matches—Jaffna Kings vs Kandy Royals and Galle Gallants vs Dambulla Sixers—scheduled in Dambulla on Sunday, July 26, as the players and officials come together to pay their final respects to Dharmadasa.
SLC remembered Dharmadasa for his dedicated service to the game and thanked him for the hard work he put into cricket administration during his time with the board. The cricket board also expressed its deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.
Sri Lanka Cricket remembers Upali Dharmadasa’s contribution
The tribute will take place during the 13th match between Jaffna Kings and Kandy Royals and the 14th match between Galle Gallants and Dambulla Sixers. Amid this, Aakash Chopra questions India’s decision to bench Prabhsimran Singh against Zimbabwe.
SLC posted on X: “Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) expresses its deepest sympathies on the passing of Mr. Upali Dharmadasa, former President of Sri Lanka Cricket. In remembrance of the late cricket administrator, players competing in today’s Lanka Premier League matches at RDICS, Dambulla, will wear black armbands as a mark of respect.
SLC and the country’s cricketing fraternity take this opportunity to express their sincere gratitude for Mr. Dharmadasa’s untiring efforts and invaluable service to the administration of cricket in the country. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family during this time of profound sorrow.”
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) expresses its deepest sympathies on the passing of Mr. Upali Dharmadasa, former President of Sri Lanka Cricket.
In remembrance of the late cricket administrator, players competing in today’s Lanka Premier League matches at RDICS, Dambulla, will wear black… pic.twitter.com/uHnkWNZWi8
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) July 26, 2026
Who was Upali Dharmadasa?
Upali Dharmadasa was a respected cricket administrator and a successful industrialist who served Sri Lanka for many years. He had many years of experience in business management and was counted among the country’s top business leaders.
Dharmadasa also made a big contribution to Sri Lankan cricket. He served as the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) before becoming the president of SLC and played a key role in the game’s growth.
Additionally, Dharmadasa also held several important positions in the business world. He served as the chairman of Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation Ltd. (SLIC), one of the country’s leading insurance companies. He was also the managing director of the Nawaloka Group of Companies.
The group included many well-known businesses such as Nawaloka Piling Ltd., Nawaloka Timber Stores Ltd., Nawaloka Polysacks Ltd., Nawaloka Industries Ltd., New Nawaloka Trading Co. Ltd., and Nawaloka Developments Ltd. Dharmadasa’s work in both cricket and business earned him great respect across Sri Lanka.