Sri Lanka’s Cricket community grieves the death of superfan Uncle Percy, aged 87

Iconic Sri Lankan cricket superfan, Percy Abeysekara, affectionately known as “Uncle Percy,” passed away at the age of 87 on Monday, October 30 due to illness. Uncle Percy was celebrated as one of the most passionate and dedicated supporters of Sri Lankan cricket, and his presence at matches became a symbol of unwavering support for the national team.

Former cricketers, including legendary figures, have expressed their grief at the loss of Uncle Percy. He was a familiar face in the stands, waving the Sri Lankan flag and cheering for the team through its highs and lows. Uncle Percy’s absence leaves a void in the hearts of Sri Lankan cricket fans, and his memory will forever be cherished as an integral part of the nation’s cricketing history. 

Percy had been waving the Sri Lankan national flag in support of the cricket team since the 1979 World Cup. Regrettably, he was unable to attend the 2023 ODI World Cup in India due to his illness. Meanwhile, many former cricketers like Russell Arnold, Sanath Jayasuriya, Irfan Pathan and more took to social media to show condolences over his death. 

Indian players were also fond of Uncle Percy

His close friendships with prominent Sri Lankan cricketers such as Arjuna Ranatunga, Sanath Jayasuriya, and Kumar Sangakkara made him an integral figure in the country’s cricketing landscape. Additionally, Percy enjoyed a warm relationship with Indian cricketers like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma. Rohit Sharma had paid a visit to Abeysekera at his residence in Colombo during the recent Asia Cup.

During the 2015 Sri Lanka tour, Virat Kohli extended an invitation to Abeysekera to join the Indian dressing room for a brief interaction. However, his health had deteriorated over the past year, and Sri Lanka Cricket recently provided him with LKR 5 million to assist with his medical expenses.