Percy Abeysekera, a beloved figure and iconic supporter of cricket known as Uncle Percy, passed away on Monday, October 30 after a prolonged battle with illness. Uncle Percy was renowned as the enthusiastic cheerleader of the Sri Lankan cricket team, accompanying them on various cricket tours over the years.
Percy Abeysekera had been battling with illness for an extended period. Notably, in September 2023, Sri Lanka Cricket provided Rs 5 million to support his medical expenses and well-being.
Since the 1979 World Cup, Percy Abeysekera had been a constant presence, waving the Sri Lankan flag to cheer on the cricket team. Unfortunately, he was unable to travel to India for the 2023 World Cup due to his health. He was admired by numerous top cricketers over the decades. In the 1980s, Martin Crowe even presented one of his Man of the Match trophies to Percy, acknowledging his passion for the game.
Former Sri Lanka opener Sanath Jayasuriya expressed his condolences on X (formerly Twitter), saying, "It is with great sadness that I heard our beloved Uncle Percy has met his maker. You were the first superfan and for all of us you will always be special RIP".
Former Sri Lanka all-rounder Russel Arnold also offered his condolences, saying, "RIP #unclepercy 😞😞😞."
Former Indian fast bowler Irfan Pathan also expressed his condolences on X, highlighting the respect that Indian cricketers had for Uncle Percy, stating, "My condolences to the family of UNCLE PERCY. Srilankan cricket’s biggest fan is no more. If Srilanka lost or won, He was always happy. The Indian team had lot of respect towards him."
Uncle Percy's passion for cricket also caught the attention of international cricketers. During India's tour of Sri Lanka in 2015, then-captain Virat Kohli invited him into the dressing room, recognizing his popularity among the players. In a more recent encounter, Rohit Sharma, Kohli's successor as captain of the Indian cricket team, visited Uncle Percy at his home near Colombo Airport. The visit was marked by a heartwarming exchange of cricket stories and camaraderie, with Rohit expressing his respect for Uncle Percy's knowledge of the game and his sportsmanship.