Players will be seen competing wearing black armbands in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026 matches on Sunday (July 26). In fact, after the demise of former Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President Upali Dharmadasa, Sri Lanka Cricket is in deep mourning.
Former SLC president Upali Dharmadas died on Sunday at the age of 71. There is a wave of mourning in the entire cricket community due to his demise, as Dharamdas was one of the respected administrators who worked for the development of cricket in the country. Meanwhile, Kavya Maran shares her outlook after the Sunrisers Leeds takeover.
LPL 2026 players to wear black armband to pay tribute to Upali Dharmadas
SLC has confirmed that players taking part in Sunday’s Lanka Premier League 2026 (LPL 2026) matches at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium will wear black armbands in honor of Upali Dharmadasa and his contribution to the game.
This special tribute will be paid during both the matches in Dambulla on Sunday, July 26 – Jaffna Kings vs Kandy Royals and Galle Gallants vs Dambulla Sixers – when players and officials will come together to pay their last respects to Dharmadasa.
SLC remembered Dharmadas for his dedicated service to the game and thanked him for the hard work he put in in cricket administration during his tenure with the Board. The Cricket Board also expressed its deepest condolences to his family and loved ones at 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. Meanwhile, Aakash Chopra questioned India’s decision to bench Prabhsimran Singh against Zimbabwe.
SLC posted on Twitter: “Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of Shri Upali Dharmadasa, former President of Sri Lanka Cricket. In memory 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 cricket fraternity of the country take this opportunity to express their heartfelt gratitude to Shri Dharamdas for his tireless efforts and invaluable service to cricket administration in the country. We express our heartfelt condolences to his family at this time of deep sorrow.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) expresses its deepest condolences on the demise of Shri Upali Dharmadasa, former President of Sri Lanka Cricket.
In memory 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 Dharamdas?
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 top business leaders in the country.
Dharmadas also made a major contribution to Sri Lankan cricket. Before becoming the President of SLC, he served as the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) and played an important role in the development of the game.
Apart from this, Dharamdas also held many important positions in the business world. He served as the Chairman of Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation Limited (SLIC), one of the country’s leading insurance companies. He was also the Managing Director of Nwaloka Group of Companies.
The group included several well-known businesses such as Nawaloka Piling Limited, Nawaloka Timber Stores Limited, Nawaloka Polysacks Limited, Nawaloka Industries Limited, New Nawaloka Trading Company Limited, and Nawaloka Developments Limited. Dharmadasa’s work in both cricket and business has earned him great respect throughout Sri Lanka.
