Janith Liyanage Biography: Birthday, Career, Stats and Records

Janith Liyanage is a Sri Lankan limited‑overs cricketer who has featured in ODIs and T20Is since 2022.

Janith Liyanage was born on 12 July 1995 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. A professional cricketer, he specialises in limited‑overs formats and represents the national side in One Day Internationals and Twenty‑20 Internationals. A past pupil of Lalith Athulathmudali Maha Vidyalaya and St Peter's College, Colombo, he progressed through school cricket before entering the domestic circuit. He made his first‑class debut for Ragama Cricket Club in January 2015 and later featured for provincial sides Galle and Dambulla in Sri Lanka's domestic competitions. His consistent performances earned him a place in the national limited‑overs squads from 2022 onward.

Janith Liyanage: quick facts

Born: 12 July 1995, Colombo
Team: Sri Lanka

Janith Liyanage career statistics

Batting

Format	Matches	Innings	Runs	Highest	Average	Strike rate	100s	50s
ODIs	40	36	1,193	101*	42.61	90.31	1	8
T20Is	14	13	181	41*	22.63	103.43	0	0

Bowling

Format	Matches	Wickets	Best	Average	Economy
ODIs	40	5	1/16	80.20	5.70
T20Is	14	0	–	–	13.71

Figures as of 11 November 2026. Figures from Cricsheet (cricsheet.org), Open Data Commons Attribution licence.

Janith Liyanage’s early life

Janith Liyanage was born on 12 July 1995 in Colombo, the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. He attended Lalith Athulathmudali Maha Vidyalaya before moving to St Peter's College, Colombo, where he received his secondary education and began to play organised cricket. During his school years he represented the college in inter‑school tournaments, showcasing his batting talent and earning selection for age‑group representative sides.

His performances at school attracted the attention of local clubs, leading to his inclusion in the Ragama Cricket Club academy, where he honed his technique before making his first‑class debut. The experience of training alongside seasoned professionals provided a solid foundation for his subsequent rise through the provincial system. By the time he completed his schooling, Liyanage was regarded as a promising top‑order batsman within the Colombo cricketing circuit.

Janith Liyanage’s domestic career

Liyanage made his first‑class debut for Ragama Cricket Club in the 2014–15 Premier Trophy on 16 January 2015. He continued to feature for Ragama in subsequent seasons, establishing himself as a reliable middle‑order batsman in Sri Lanka’s domestic structure. His consistent run‑scoring earned him selection for Galle’s provincial side, where he participated in the 2017–18 Super Four Provincial Tournament in March 2018 and the following month in the Super Provincial One Day Tournament.

In November 2021 Liyanage was drafted by the Dambulla Giants for the Lanka Premier League and was recognised as the emerging player of the tournament for his contributions with the bat. He later joined the Galle Marvels in 2024, continuing his involvement in Sri Lanka’s franchise competitions and adding further experience in the shorter formats. His performances in the league have demonstrated adaptability to the fast‑paced T20 environment, complementing his skill set developed in the longer domestic formats. He featured in several key matches, often opening the innings and providing quick starts that set the platform for his side’s chase.

Janith Liyanage’s international career

Liyanage earned his first international call‑up in January 2022 when he was named in Sri Lanka’s Twenty‑20 International squad for the series against Australia. He made his T20I debut on 20 February 2022 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, facing the Australian side. Over 14 matches he has accumulated 181 runs at an average of 22.63, striking at 103.43 runs per 100 balls, with a highest unbeaten score of 41. He has taken five catches in the format.

He made his One Day International debut during Sri Lanka’s tour of Zimbabwe on 6 January 2024 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, facing Zimbabwe in his first match. Since then he has featured in 40 ODIs, scoring 1,193 runs in 36 innings at an average of 42.61 and a strike rate of 90.31. His highest score, an unbeaten 101, was recorded against Bangladesh at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram on 18 March 2024. Liyanage has also taken five wickets, with a best of 1 for 16, and has held twelve catches in the format.

In the second ODI of the Zimbabwe series he scored 95 runs, earning the player‑of‑the‑match award and contributing to Sri Lanka’s 2–0 series victory, for which he was also named player of the series. He continued his form in the Bangladesh series in March 2024, making 67 runs off 69 balls in the first ODI and later achieving his maiden ODI century, an unbeaten 101, although Sri Lanka lost that match. His recent international record in October 2026 shows five ODIs, 154 runs in four innings with a highest of 61, and a wicket of 1 for 32.

Janith Liyanage’s franchise and league career

Liyanage entered the franchise arena in November 2021 when he was selected by the Dambulla Giants for the Lanka Premier League. Throughout the tournament he displayed a blend of aggression and composure, contributing valuable runs in the top order and earning the emerging player of the tournament accolade for his impact. He featured in several key matches, often opening the innings and providing quick starts that set the platform for his side’s chase.

In 2024 Liyanage was drafted by the Galle Marvels, extending his involvement in Sri Lanka’s domestic T20 competition. His participation with the Marvels has allowed him to apply his international experience to the franchise format, further sharpening his skills in high‑pressure situations. During the season he recorded a half‑century against the Colombo Kings, reinforcing his reputation as a dependable top‑order option in the league.

Janith Liyanage’s records and achievements

Liyanage’s most notable batting achievement is his unbeaten 101 against Bangladesh at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram on 18 March 2024, which stands as his highest ODI score. Earlier in his ODI career he produced a 95‑run knock against Zimbabwe at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on 8 January 2024 and a 78‑run innings against Bangladesh at the same venue on 5 July 2025, demonstrating his ability to build substantial innings across different conditions.

His contributions in the Zimbabwe series earned him both player‑of‑the‑match and player‑of‑the‑series honours, while his fielding record includes twelve catches in ODIs. Although primarily a batsman, he has taken five ODI wickets, with best figures of 1 for 16 and an economy of 5.7. In the most recent ODI window of October 2026 he added 154 runs in five matches, with a top score of 61 and claimed a wicket of 1 for 32.

Janith Liyanage: frequently asked questions

When was Janith Liyanage born?

Janith Liyanage was born on 12 July 1995 in Colombo.

Where is Janith Liyanage from?

Janith Liyanage was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Which teams has Janith Liyanage played for?

Janith Liyanage plays international cricket for Sri Lanka.

When did Janith Liyanage make an international debut?

Janith Liyanage made an ODI debut against Zimbabwe at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on 6 January 2024. Janith Liyanage made a T20I debut against Australia at Melbourne Cricket Ground on 20 February 2022.