The brother of Sri Lankan Test cricket captain Dhananjaya de Silva was attacked with a sword by an alleged underworld gang at his residence in Mount Lavinia. The assailants, claiming underworld affiliations, invaded his home late at night.In an attempt to defend himself, he raised his hand, sustaining injuries from the sword strike. He managed to retaliate, causing the attackers to flee. He was promptly admitted to Kalubowila Hospital for treatment. The Mount Lavinia Police have launched an investigation into the incident.
This attack is a grim reminder of the family’s previous tragedy. In May 2018, Dhananjaya de Silva’s father, Ranjan de Silva, a Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia Municipal Councillor, was shot dead near his residence in Ratmalana by unidentified gunmen. The murder was linked to underworld activities, leading to multiple arrests over the years. Notably, in January 2023, a suspect known as ‘Kotiya’ was apprehended in connection with Ranjan de Silva’s murder.
The de Silva family has been under the shadow of underworld violence for years. In 2018, Dhananjaya de Silva withdrew from Sri Lanka’s tour of the West Indies following his father’s assassination. The recent attack on his brother underscores the persistent threat posed by organized crime in the region.
Authorities are intensifying efforts to combat underworld activities in Sri Lanka. The arrest of key figures, such as ‘Kudu Anju’ in France, who is accused of multiple crimes including drug trafficking and murder, reflects the ongoing crackdown on organized crime. The recent assault on de Silva’s brother highlights the urgent need for enhanced security measures to protect individuals targeted by these criminal networks.
The de Silva family’s repeated encounters with underworld violence have had profound personal and professional impacts. Dhananjaya de Silva’s commitment to his cricketing career, despite these challenges, has been commendable. However, the safety concerns arising from such incidents cannot be overlooked. The Sri Lankan cricketing community and the public at large are calling for swift justice and effective measures to dismantle the underworld networks responsible for these heinous acts.
