By Dhammika Ratnaweera
Former Sri Lanka A and Colts Women’s cricket team member Poojani Prasadika Liyanage has passed away after tragic motor accident in Katupotha, Kurunegla on last Monday (15). Her funeral will take place at Mahapaladikulama General cemetery in Anuradhapura (18)at 4.30pm.
The 33-year-old Liyanage was an experienced cricketer in the domestic arena, finally representing Colts Cricket Club as well as the Sri Lanka Development Squad and Sri Lanka A team during her career, as a leg spinner and lower middle order batter. She studied at Harishchandra College Anuradhapura and later joined to Shakthi Sports Club at Anuradhapura. In 2004/2005 season she was captain of the Shakthi team . Poojani Liyanage also very dedicated cricketer and she had a dream to represent the National team. She came to Colombo from Anuradhapura with that mind and started new cricket career in Colombo .First she got chance to play CCC and then crossed over to Colts CC . She was the captain of the Colts CC during the 2015-2016 season . She was lucky to member of the champion team at the last Inter Provincial women’s cricket tournament .
However, her ultimate goal of representing the national team went unfulfilled. Despite being unable to break into the national team, But she was never gone down .Liyanage found her passion in becoming a scorer at the Sri Lanka Cricket Scorers Association(SLCSA).She was very active member of the SLCSA and was awarded best women’s cricket scorer at the cricket scorers colours nite in 2016 .Poojani also member of the SLC cricket scores pool got chance to score the women’s International matches during her short period .
Poojani Liyanage the cricketer from Anuradhapura, but she always happy to stay at Colombo and her life always scarified to cricket . She never thought her last journey from Colombo to Anuradhapura last Monday . On her way to Anuradhapura she met an accident at Katupotha .and end her short life with unexpected time . Poojani was very popular charactor among the cricketers, coaches, umpires, matches referees as well as cricket scores .
Former Sri Lanka women’s team skipper Shashikala Siriwardena who also the Poojani’s teammate paid tribute to her friend on Social media said ‘ You were an amazing character. Fighter, Learner, you always wanted to play for the national team as a leg spinner. Together We have played club cricket, provincial Tournament, National pool matches and MCA Academy matches for many years. Later You came a long way as a cricket scorer. More than anything else you were very good friend , sister to all the women cricketers in Sri Lanka. Together we won the provincial Tournament which you played last. You bowled a superb spell in the finals. That’s the brightest memory I have with you recently. We will never forget you sister. May you attain Supreme Bless of Nirvana
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