Veteran Sri Lankan fan Percy Abeysekera passes away after fighting long-term illness

Veteran Sri Lankan fan Percy Abeysekara fondly called Uncle Percy passed away on Monday, October 30. Percy celebrated his 87^th birthday in August this year but had been unwell from a long time. Notably, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) also presented Rs 50 Lakh to Percy in September to support his well-being and maintenance of good health.

Percy will be forever remembered as the oldest supporter of the Sri Lankan cricket team having cheered for his nation for over 40 years. He even travelled with the team on several foreign tours. Percy’s amiable presence and the sight of him waving the Sri Lankan flag will be missed by fans all over the world. 

Sad, sad day not just for Sri Lankan but entire cricket community! Uncle Percy has passed away after a prolonged illness

— Amol Karhadkar (@karhacter) October 30, 2023

Recently, Indian captain Rohit Sharma also met Uncle Percy at his home during India’s stay in Sri Lanka during the Asia Cup 2023. During India’s tour to Sri Lanka in 2015, the then-captain Virat Kohli also invited him to the dressing room. 

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Notably, Percy was regularly spotted supporting Sri Lanka from the stadiums since their first Test against England in 1982. During the historic game, he escorted England batsman Chris Tavare on the pitch at the P Sara Oval in the capital Colombo while holding a Sri Lankan flag.

Since then, he’s been allowed onto the field by Sri Lanka’s cricket authorities to accompany the team off after every game, win or lose, still carrying his flag. Percy was even invited to join the Sri Lankan cricket board twice but he denied the offer due to his unlikeness for cricket administration.

Percy named his grandsons after Garfield Sobers and Sachin Tendulkar

His love for cricket began when he witnessed his first international game from the stadium at the age of 12 between Australia vs. All Ceylon in 1948 at the Colombo Oval (Sara Stadium). During the match, he got to watch legendary Sir Donald Bradman in action and began cheerleading in the 1950s.

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Percy’s grandsons are named Garfield, after the legendary West Indies all-rounder Sir Garfield Sobers, and Sachinka, after the Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar.