Name:

De Silva, D L S

Nickname:

Deva Lokesh Stanley de Silva

Date of Birth:

17 Nov 1956

Gender:

Men

Place of Birth:

Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka

Date Died:

12 Apr 1980

Career:

ODI: 1979 - 1979

Teams:

Sri Lanka (Country)

Deva Lokesh Stanley (DLS) de Silva, born on 17 November 1956 in Ambalangoda, was one of Sri Lanka’s most promising young fast bowlers of the pre-Test era. A right-arm fast-medium bowler and right-hand batsman, he rose quickly through the domestic ranks with his lively pace and ability to extract movement. His performances for the Sri Lanka Board President’s XI and other representative sides marked him as a future spearhead for the national attack.

He earned his international debut during the 1979 Cricket World Cup, playing two ODIs for Sri Lanka. Though his opportunities were limited, he impressed selectors and teammates with his discipline, natural athleticism, and willingness to bowl long, demanding spells — qualities that made him one of the brightest pace prospects in an era when Sri Lanka was pushing hard for Test status. Many contemporaries believed he would play a major role in the country’s transition into the Test arena.

Tragically, his career and life were cut short when he died in a motorcycle accident on 12 April 1980 in Balapitiya, aged just 23. His sudden passing shocked the Sri Lankan cricket community, which had viewed him as a key part of the team’s future.