Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Veteran Sri Lankan cricket coach dies after altercation with players
An old cricket coach in Sri Lanka named Sumith Fernando taught many young players how to play cricket.
He even coached the captain of Sri Lanka's national team, Kusal Mendis.
One day, some cricket players went to a water tap at the club to drink water, but there was no water.
They started arguing with the club worker about it.
People say the worker tried to hurt one of the teenage players during the argument.
The teenager hit back to defend himself.
The coach got hurt and had to go to the hospital.
He stayed there for a few days and sadly passed away on August 11.
The police arrested the 17-year-old boy who was involved.
A judge said the teenager must stay under the care of child services until August 17.
Veteran Sri Lankan cricket coach Sumith Fernando, 62, died after a dispute at the Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic Club in Colombo.
Fernando was taken to the hospital after the incident on August 8 and died on Tuesday, August 11.
A 17-year-old cricketer was arrested by the Cinnamon Gardens Police over the fatal altercation.
The teen was produced before the Colombo Magistrate's Court on August 11 and ordered under the supervision of the Department of Probation and Childcare Services until August 17, 2026.
Investigations say the dispute started when players found no water at a tap; the club employee allegedly tried to assault the teenager, who hit back in retaliation.
- Who
- Sumith Fernando, a 62-year-old veteran Sri Lankan cricket coach and club curator, and a 17-year-old cricketer arrested in connection with the incident.
- What
- Fernando died after an altercation that began when players found no water at a tap, during which the club employee was allegedly hit in retaliation.
- When
- The dispute occurred on August 8, and Fernando died on Tuesday, August 11.
- Where
- Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic Club in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
- Why
- Investigations say the argument started because no water was available at a tap; the employee allegedly attempted to assault the teenager, who then hit back in retaliation.
- Deceased
- Sumith Fernando, 62, veteran cricket coach and curator
- Incident date
- August 8, 2026
- Date of death
- Tuesday, August 11, 2026
- Location
- Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic Club, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Suspect
- 17-year-old cricketer, resident of Liyanagemulla, Seeduwa
- Arresting authority
- Cinnamon Gardens Police
- Court order
- Supervision by Department of Probation and Childcare Services until August 17, 2026
- Career highlights
- Coached Kusal Mendis; former coach at Prince of Wales' College, Moratuwa