News

Overseas Football Players who are eligible to Represent Sri Lanka

Published

5 years ago

November 26, 2020

Editor

There are currently numerous players with strong Sri Lankan roots who play football in Overseas Leagues. Football Sri Lanka has kept a close eye on all these players, tracking their progress and skill levels to see which players can bring a positive impact to the Sri Lankan National Team

The following five players have already applied for dual citizenship and started the necessary processes of making it into the National squad, while the rest are yet to start any such procedures;

Players who are already applied for the Dual Citizenship to represent the National Team

Hamilton O Mervyn

Age : 32 yrs. (DOB: 8 Oct 1988)

Height : 6’

Citizenship : British

Position : Midfield

Current club : Whitehawk FC

League : Whitehawk FC is a Semi Professional, non-league English football club based in Whitehawk, a suburb of the city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. Whitehawk FC play in the Isthmian South East Division (English non-league step 4 – Level 8)

Category : Sri Lankan Mother

2. Reef Sebastian Peries

Age : 19 yrs (DOB: 30 Oct. 2001)

Height : 5’ 11”

Citizenship : British

Position : Right Wing Back

Current club : Woking FC (Academy Team)

League : Woking Football Club is a semi-professional association football club, based in Woking, Surrey, England. Founded in 1889, the club plays its home matches at Kingfield Stadium and is nicknamed the Cardinals. Currently, they compete in the National League, the fifth tier of English football.

Category : Sri Lankan Grandparent

3. Ryan Anthony Peries

Age :18 yrs (DOB: 20 Jul 2002)

Height : 6’ 2”

Citizenship : British

Position : Midfield

Current club : Bournemouth University FC

Category : Sri Lankan Grandparent

4. Haneef Mohamed Haseef Mohamed

Age : 27 yrs (DOB: 23 Aug 1993)

Height : 5’ 6”

Citizenship : Switzerland

Position : Left / Right Winger, Attacking Midfielder

Current club : FC Engstringen

League : FC Engstringen plays in the Football Association of the Zurich Region FVRZ 3rd League of Swiss Football Association.

Category : Sri Lankan Father & Mother

5. Vigneswaran Dagsan

Age : 16 yrs (DOB: 02 May 2004)

Height : 6’

Citizenship : Switzerland

Position : Center Back / Midfielder

Current club : Lausanne Sport

League : FC Engstringen plays in the Football Association of the Zurich Region FVRZ 3rd League of Swiss Football Association.

Category : Sri Lankan Father & Mother

Players who are eligible to apply for the Dual Citizenship to represent the National Team

Claudio Matthias

Age : 21 yrs (DOB: 7 July 1999)

Height : 6’ 1”

Citizenship : Deutsch (German)

Position : Center Back, Left Back, Right Back

Current club : SC Freiburg

League : Sport-Club Freiburg e.V., commonly known as SC Freiburg, is a German football club, based in the city of Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg. It plays in the Bundesliga. SC Freiburg II is the reserve team of German association football club SC Freiburg plays in the Regionalliga Südwest (English: Regional League Southwest) is the fourth tier of the German football league system in the states of Hesse, Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland. It is one of five leagues at this level, together with the Regionalliga Bayern, Regionalliga Nordost, Regionalliga Nord, and the Regionalliga West.

Category : Sri Lankan Mother

2. Canistan Regize

Age : 23 yrs (DOB: 25 Mar 1997)

Height : 5’ 7”

Citizenship : French

Position : Midfielder

Current club : FC Montceau, Boergogne

League : Football Club Montceau Bourgogne is a French association football team founded in 1948. They are based in Montceau-les-Mines, Bourgogne, France and are currently playing in the Championnat National 3. The league serves as the fifth division of the French Football League.

Category : Sri Lankan Father & Mother

3. Kelly Garrett Christopher

Age : 24 yrs (DOB: 13 Apr 1996)

Height : 6’ 1”

Citizenship : British

Position : Central Midfield

Current club : Almyros Gaziou FC (Greece)

League : Almyros Gaziou FC plays in the Gamma Ethniki the fourth highest football league in Greece.

Category : Sri Lankan Mother

4. Manimeldura Leon Perera

Age : 23 yrs (DOB: 1 Jan 1997)

Height : 5’ 8”

Citizenship : Deutsch (German)

Position : Central Midfield

Current club : MTV Treubund Lüneburg

League : MTV Treubund Lüneburg competes in the Landesliga Lüneburg, called the Bezirksoberliga Lüneburg from 1979 to 1994 and 2006 to 2010, is the sixth tier of the German football league system and the second-highest league in the German state of Lower Saxony.

Category : Sri Lankan Father

5. Tiffan Anthonypillai

Age : 18 yrs. (DOB: 21 Sep 2002)

Height : 5’ 7”

Citizenship : Canadian

Position : Right Back

Current club : Cs Saint-Laurent, Montréal,Canada

Category : Sri Lankan Mother

6. Chikereuba Tochokwu Francis

Age : 27 yrs (DOB: 24 Apr 1993)

Height : 6’ 3”

Citizenship : Nigerian

Position : Central Defender

Current club : Java Lane SC, Colombo

League : Champions League – Sri Lanka

Category : Sri Lankan Spouse & Children

7. Poopathithasan Nilooshan

Age : 19 yrs (DOB: 19 Jul 2001)

Height : TBC

Citizenship : Deutsch (German)

Position : TBC

Current club : TBC

Category : Sri Lankan Mother

Furthermore, Waseem Razeek and his brother Muzakir Razeek already eligible to represent the country.

Cricket

Matheesha Pathirana Set for Delayed IPL 2026 Return

Published

2 hours ago

March 22, 2026

Editor

Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana is expected to miss the opening matches of the IPL 2026 season, with his return likely only around mid-April. The update was confirmed by Abhishek Nayar, head coach of Kolkata Knight Riders.

Pathirana has been sidelined due to a calf strain that also forced him out of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 earlier this year. The young pacer managed to feature in just three matches during the global tournament before suffering the injury. He was visibly in discomfort and had to be assisted off the field during Sri Lanka’s clash against Australia.

Currently undergoing rehabilitation, Pathirana’s recovery is being closely monitored, with team management keen to ensure he regains full fitness before returning to competitive cricket. His absence will be a setback for Kolkata Knight Riders, given his reputation as a specialist death-over bowler with a unique sling action.

The franchise is expected to manage his workload carefully once he rejoins the squad, especially with a long tournament ahead. Pathirana’s return in the latter half of the competition could prove crucial as teams push for playoff positions.

For now, both Sri Lanka and KKR will be focused on his complete recovery, with hopes that the talented speedster will soon be back delivering his trademark yorkers on the big stage.

Cricket

Shanaka Withdraws from PSL, Eyes Possible IPL Opportunity

Published

3 hours ago

March 22, 2026

Editor

Sri Lanka’s dynamic all-rounder Dasun Shanaka has opted out of the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL), fueling speculation that he could soon be seen in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as an injury replacement.

Although no official announcement has been made, reports suggest Shanaka is already in talks with IPL franchises searching for reinforcements. His versatility as a fast-bowling all-rounder makes him a valuable option for teams dealing with fitness concerns in their squads.

One franchise under the spotlight is the Rajasthan Royals, who may be forced to reshuffle after injury worries surrounding England’s Sam Curran. Shanaka’s skill set combining aggressive batting with reliable seam bowling positions him as a natural fit to step into Curran’s role should the Royals need a replacement.

With the IPL season approaching, Shanaka’s withdrawal from the PSL appears to be a strategic move, potentially opening the door for his debut in the world’s most lucrative cricket league.

News

Sri Lanka Triumphs in Billie Jean King Cup Juniors Semi-Final

Published

1 day ago

March 21, 2026

Editor

Sri Lanka secured a commanding victory over the Maldives in the semi-final of the 2026 Billie Jean King Cup Juniors – Asia/Oceania Pre-Qualifying Event, held in Colombo. The host nation advanced to the final with a 2-0 win, showcasing resilience and determination on home soil.

In the opening singles match, Annaya Norbert staged a remarkable comeback after dropping the first set 2-6. She rallied to take the next two sets 6-4, 6-1, sealing the first point for Sri Lanka. Her ability to shift momentum under pressure proved decisive in setting the tone for the tie.

The second singles encounter saw Akesha Silva deliver another strong performance. Despite losing the opening set 4-6, Silva responded with authority, dominating the second set 6-0 before closing out the match 6-3. Her victory ensured Sri Lanka’s place in the final without the need for a doubles decider.