At just 16, he made his one-day debut and a year later, Shalika Karunanayake debuted in first-class cricket.

An all-rounder who bats right-handed and bowls right-arm medium pace, he started playing at a young age and represented Sri Lanka in their U15 side. Karunanayake went on to become an integral part of their U19 team as well. He impressed with a half century and a five-wicket haul on the 2005 England tour and that gave confirmation of his “all-rounder” tag.