Biography
Hemantha Devapriya, born on April 12, 1958, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, is a former cricketer known for his all-round capabilities as a right-handed batter and a right-arm medium-fast bowler. He made significant contributions to Sri Lankan cricket during the formative years of international competition for the nation. Devapriya was integral to the team's early development and success in ODI and Test formats in the late 1970s and 1980s.
Devapriya's international career spanned from 1982 to 1989, during which he played in 22 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and represented Sri Lanka in 3 Test matches. Although he did not achieve remarkable statistical milestones, his versatility as an all-rounder provided the team with crucial support in various matches. His performances helped lay the groundwork for future generations of cricketers in Sri Lanka, especially as the team prepared for the 1996 Cricket World Cup triumph.
Following his retirement from international cricket, Hemantha Devapriya continued to be actively involved in domestic cricket and coaching, contributing to the growth of the sport in Sri Lanka. He is remembered for his dedication to cricket and his role in transitioning Sri Lankan cricket into a competitive force on the global stage. His legacy is reflected in the increasing prominence of Sri Lankan cricketers on the international scene.