COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s first Test Cricket Captain has passed away at the age of 68.

Waranpura functioned as the coach of the Sri Lankan team as well as an administrator at Sri Lanka Cricket.

Bandula Warnapura had the honour of leading Sri Lanka when they finally became a fully-fledged Test-playing country.

An opening batsman with a solid technique, Warnapura was also a capable medium-pace bowler.

He played 4 Test matches and 12 One Day Internationals (ODI) during his international cricketing career from 1975 to 1982.

Warnapura captained Sri Lanka’s first Test match, and also faced the first delivery and scored the first run for his team.

He also opened the bowling for Sri Lanka in the first test match played by the Island nation.

• Stalling repair work of Samanala wewa will bring adverse consequences, says Engineers
• 2 suspects who attacked excise officer: Arrested
• Investigations into death of police officer inside barracks
• Navy Coast Guard vessel sinks in Kankasanthurai
• Maharagama Seetha: Investigations into the shooting of the elephant launched