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Sri Lanka has unearthed a rare football gem. Sixteen-year-old Aditha Menuhas Wickramarathne, born in Italy to Sri Lankan parents, is now on the brink of making history in the sport – and he’s just getting started.
Aditha has been picked for Sri Lanka’s Under-23 football pool for the upcoming AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers to be held in Uzbekistan in September, becoming the youngest player ever selected. What’s more remarkable is that he is already a member of the current Sri Lanka Under-17 national football team.
With fearless ambition and fast feet, Aditha is now knocking on the door of senior international football. He is among the 25-member preliminary squad for the U-23s, which will be cut to 20 before their departure to Qatar on August 15. There, the team will face Syria and Qatar in two warm-up games before heading to Uzbekistan to take on Uzbekistan, Palestine, and Kyrgyz Republic from September 1 to 9 in Group E action. The final squad will be announced on August 9.
Currently studying business and marketing for his A/Ls at Istituto Paci Seregno in Italy, Aditha plays for Italian club UC Albinoleffe. A right midfielder, he is known for his creativity, pace, and goal-scoring ability. His style is inspired by his football hero, Cristiano Ronaldo, who he says gave him the confidence to believe in big dreams.
Aditha began his football journey at just five years old, playing for a village team in Italy. He spent nine years in grassroots football before making his way into club football, where he quickly impressed selectors with his maturity and skills.
At home, Aditha has strong sporting roots. His mother, Pradeepa Herath, is a former Sri Lankan sprinting star. She won a gold medal in the 4x100m relay at the 2000 Jakarta Asian Athletics Championships, bringing Sri Lanka its first relay gold in 32 years at that event.
Later that year, she was part of Sri Lanka’s 4x100m women’s Olympic relay team at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, running alongside Damayanthi Darsha, Nimmi de Zoysa and Thamara Samandeepika – one of the most celebrated quartets in Sri Lanka’s track and field history.
Aditha’s father, NS Wickramarathne, a Sri Lanka Army officer, has been a strong support throughout his son’s journey.
Aditha says he is proud of his Sri Lankan roots and wants to follow in his parents’ footsteps in sports. “I believe one day I can play for the senior national team and even win a Football World Cup for Sri Lanka,” he says, with youthful confidence. “Italy is a great place to grow as a footballer, but I want to wear the Sri Lanka jersey and bring pride to my country.”
He is also inspired by Sri Lanka’s current football stars like midfielder Dillon de Silva and goalkeeper and captain Sujan Perera, who he says motivate him to work harder.
Sri Lanka Football officials are watching Aditha’s progress with great interest. Teenage breakthroughs are rare at this level, and Aditha’s journey could signal a fresh era for Sri Lankan football.
Originally published by Sri Lanka Daily News, Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
