Colombo, May 25: Sri Lanka's cricket board will not replace allrounder Dhananjaya de Silva who withdrew from a tour of the West Indies following the murder of his father, officials said Friday.
Ranjan de Silva, a local politician, was shot dead near Colombo late Thursday, hours before the team was due to leave for the three-match Test series in the West Indies.
Sri Lanka Cricket expresses its sincere condolences on the tragic demise of Mr.Ranjan De Silva, father of the national cricketer Dhananjaya De Silva. pic.twitter.com/YM4d0OSyS2
— Sri Lanka Cricket (@OfficialSLC) May 25, 2018
"There will be no replacement for Dhananjaya," a board official told AFP. "Instead of a 17-member squad, we will now have 16."
Sri Lanka Cricket said it will support the 26-year-old Dhananjaya "at this time of sorrow and grief". Police said an investigation was underway but no arrests had been made.
While, I am saddened by the loss suffered by Dananjaya and his family, Sri Lanka Cricket will take every measure to support Dananjaya at this time of sorrow and grief for him and his family, whilst giving him time to overcome the great pain and suffering caused by this tragedy.
— President of SLC (@SLCPresident) May 25, 2018
Sri Lanka will also miss opener Dimuth Karunaratne who fractured a finger while batting in the nets this month as he prepared for a domestic tournament.
Revised Sri Lanka squad: Dinesh Chandimal (captain), Mahela Udawatte, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Roshen Silva, Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwella (wicketkeeper), Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay, Lahiru Gamage, Kasun Rajitha, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, and Asitha Fernando.