Cricketer Premasiri shot dead

Halambaga Premasiri, a prolific run-getter in domestic cricket has been shot dead near his home at Ambalangoda on Friday night aged 52.Premasiri, a right hand top order batsman is believed to have been killed over a business rivalry. The Premasiris are renowned businessmen in Ambalangoda and have many enemies. A few years ago one of Premasiri's brothers were also killed. A product of Dharmasoka College Ambalangoda, Premasiri shone at cricket for his school before branching off to play club cricket.

He first appeared for Kalutara Physical and Culture Club (KPCC) in division III cricket in the early eighties and later turned out for Singha SC of whom he was a founder-member and financier till his death. Premasiri also turned out for Bloomfield C&AC in the division I inter-club tournaments and in a ten-year first-class career racked up six hundreds and 16 fifties, accumulating 3366 runs (avg. 28.28) in 70 matches.

He was elected president of the Galle District CA, an election that was not recognized by Sri Lanka Cricket.Premasiri was still an active cricketer at the time of his death having participated in the Moratuwa Cavaliers Veterans Sixes cricket tournament where he represented the team from the South, Olcotts.

 - ST