A medium-fast bowler, SurangaLakmal, made his First-Class debut in 2007-08 for Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic club. After a remarkable first season, he was chosen in the Sri Lanka 'A' squad for the tour of South Africa. ChandikaHathurusinghe, coach of Sri Lanka 'A' team, said that he bowled superbly through the tour even though he didn't have the numbers to back his performance. Only 21 at the time, his coach felt he was a mature cricketer, who grasped things quickly, earmarking him for the future. His coach's recommendation earned him a place on the tour to Pakistan in early 2009 and he reportedly sustained minor injuries during the Lahore terror attack. He was also included in the Test squad for Sri Lanka's home series against Pakistan in July-August 2009 but made his debut in the second ODI against India after being ushered in as a replacement for Dilhara Fernando.
