Meanwhile, Nissanka’s prolific scoring across formats rightfully earned him the crown as the pinnacle of men’s cricket in Sri Lanka, in a year that fetched him 1414 runs at an average of 40.40. Despite playing just five innings across the entire year, in what was a limited opportunity year as a whole for Sri Lankan Test cricket, Nissanka managed 388 runs inclusive of two centuries; In ODIs, Nissanka wasn’t able to match his vintage 2024, but still struck a respectable 401 runs in 12 matches at an average of 30.84; it was in T20Is that he shone the most, as 18 matches brought 625 at a strike rate of 149.16 – the most prolific year of his career.
The essential contributions of match officials were also put in the spotlight during the domestic segment. Veteran official Ravindra Kottahachchi was honoured with the match officials award, taking home the title of Umpire of the Year.
Lifetime achievement awards
The board bestowed Lifetime Achievement Awards upon four individuals whose decades of dedication have shaped the narrative and stature of Sri Lankan cricket, both on and off the field.
On the media front, Reemus Fernando has spent decades tracking and chronicling local sports. Writing for prominent national publications, Fernando’s documentation of domestic tournaments and school cricket has served as an invaluable historical archive for the nation’s sporting triumphs.
Finally there was Kelum Srimal, a media personality who has long been a highly recognised voice in Sri Lankan cricket broadcasting. Combining his skills as a journalist, commentator, and prominent television presenter, Srimal’s lifelong dedication to multi-platform cricket media have made him a household name for local sports fans.
