Allrounder Dhananjaya de Silva won't travel to West Indies after tragic death of his father in Colombo
SL player out of tour after father's murder
The father of Sri Lankan cricket allrounder Dhananjaya de Silva has been shot dead by unidentified gunmen on the eve of the national team's departure to the West Indies on Friday.
Police said the player's father, Ranjan, a local politician, was gunned down in the Colombo suburb of Ratmalana close to midnight on Thursday.
An investigation is underway but no arrests have been made.
Cricket officials said 26-year-old de Silva has withdrawn from the tour and that no replacement player will be named.
"Sri Lanka Cricket will take every measure to support Dhananjaya 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,” said SLC President Thilanga Sumathipala.
Sri Lanka will also miss opener Dimuth Karunaratne for the series, who fractured a finger while batting in the nets earlier this month as he prepared for a limited-overs domestic tournament.
Meanwhile, the Windies have recalled opener Devon Smith after an absence of almost three years.
Condolences to the family. Our thoughts and prayers with Dhananjaya. He was due to be on a plane looking forward to a tour to the West Indies. https://t.co/FKrGfAd0ws— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) May 25, 2018
The 36-year-old averages just 24.50 from 38 Tests but has been given another chance after a strong showing at domestic level.
Uncapped wicketkeeper-batsman Jahmar Hamilton has also been included after good form for West Indies A, although incumbent keeper Shane Dowrich is expected to take the gloves.
Batsmen Sunil Ambris – who had a bizarre Test debut against New Zealand earlier this year – and Jermaine Blackwood have been axed from the series against the Black Caps.
The two teams are scheduled to play three Tests, including a day-night match in Barbados, with the first Test set to get underway in Trinidad on June 6.
West Indies squad: Jason Holder (c), Devendra Bishoo, Kraigg Brathwaite, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich (wk), Shannon Gabriel, Jahmar Hamilton (wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Kieran Powell, Kemar Roach, Devon Smith
Sri Lanka squad: Dinesh Chandimal (c), Mahela Udawatte, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Roshen Silva, Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay, Lahiru Gamage, Kasun Rajitha, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando