{"id":504404,"date":"2026-02-26T03:04:12","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T03:04:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/504404\/"},"modified":"2026-02-26T03:04:12","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T03:04:12","slug":"dasun-shanaka-urges-government-action-over-rising-negativity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/504404\/","title":{"rendered":"Dasun Shanaka urges government action over rising negativity"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka has called for government intervention to address what he described as a growing culture of negativity surrounding the national cricket team, warning that it is damaging players\u2019 mental health and the future of the sport.<\/p>\n

Speaking after Sri Lanka\u2019s exit from the T20 World Cup, Shanaka said that while the team accepts responsibility for the defeat, the wave of criticism from outside has created a harmful environment.<\/p>\n

\u201cActually, when considering this World Cup, Paddy Upton worked with us and we had huge support from him. As players, it\u2019s very hard for us to control the outside noise,\u201d Shanaka said.<\/p>\n

He noted that despite efforts to remain positive within the dressing room, players are constantly exposed to criticism circulating publicly and on social media.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe mainly hear negative stuff. No matter how positive we are as players, there is a negative environment created from the outside. That\u2019s a disadvantage for cricket in Sri Lanka,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

In a pointed remark, Shanaka questioned the culture of public criticism directed at the team.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe only have this game and I don\u2019t think this could be saved. When you go outside after this, you will also see how many are out there holding mics to criticise. So why is the negativity being spread like this?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

The Sri Lanka skipper said that although the team understands the reasons behind the World Cup defeat and shares public concerns, constant negativity does not help resolve structural issues.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, we lost a World Cup; we know the reasons. We all have concerns. But negativity has come forward more than rectifying the issues,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Shanaka appealed for authorities to step in to protect younger players from the psychological toll of public hostility.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt least for the players coming up next, if the government could interfere and stop those, I believe that will be a great help for better mental health,\u201d he added. (Newswire)<\/p>\n

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