Malinda Warnapura, a handy left-arm opener, followed the footstep of his uncle Bandula Warnapura and became the  106th Test cap for Sri Lanka. Warnapura took his time to get to the national side and played 14 Test matches managing 821 runs at an average of 35.69 and represented Sri Lanka in 3 ODIs.

Warnapura made his first-class debut in the 1998/99 season and represented Burgher Recreation Club, Colombo Cricket Club, and Colts Cricket Club in his splendid career. Warnapura was a regular member in Sri Lanka A and Warnapura hammered 243 against Bangladesh A for Sri Lanka A as his career-best knock in first-class. Warnapura managed 9116 runs in his splendid first-class career in 182 games. 

Warnapura retired from the game in 2015 and started his coaching career with St. Peter's College Colombo. After 4 years at the School level, Malinda moved to the domestic level. Malinda coached his home club, Colts Cricket Club, and Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic Club and moved to the national level. Malinda also has 7 plus years of experience playing and coaching in the UK and was appointed Batting Coach of Sri Lanka A recently.