One of Sri Lanka’s finest cricketers Nuwan Kulasekara has decided to retire from international cricket with immediate effect without fulfilling his former team mate Lasith Malinga’s wish.

Speaking at a press conference held at Colts CC pavilion yesterday Kulasekara said, “I had taken the decision to retire already but I decided to announce it after the World Cup. But my friend Lasith Malinga told me to request from Sri Lanka Cricket to include me for the first Bangladesh ODI so that we could both retire together. I made a request to SLC but they have not responded so I decided to announce my retirement immediately.”

“I must thank Malinga for remembering me and for supporting a fellow player. Malinga has done did this before also,” Kulasekara said.

The right-arm seamer from Bandaranayake College Gampaha made his One Day International debut against England at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in 2003 and his Test debut against New Zealand at Napier in 2005.

He finished with 199 wickets from 184 ODIs and 48 wickets from 21 Tests. He also captured 66 wickets in 58 T20Is.

“I don’t want to make this farewell a controversial issue. I will be looking to play in international T20 leagues,” Kulasekara said.

Kulasekara (37) took the spotlight in international cricket in 2008, when he topped the world rankings as an ODI bowler.

“I’m proud to contribute my services immensely to my country in cricket. I became the 100th Test player and took 199 ODI wickets helping my country to several victories,” said Kulaseakara. Kulasekara played a big role helping Sri Lanka become the World T20 champions in 2014 when it was held in Bangladesh.

Sports Minister Harin Fernando revealed at a press conference that there will be a felicitation ceremony for Nuwan Kulasekara at the end of the 3rd ODI against Bangladesh at the R Premadasa Stadium.

The Professional Sports Journalists Association of Sri Lanka are also planning to hold a special felicitation program for both Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Kulasekara at the end of the Bangladesh tour.