A reference from the government does go a long way in getting things done in Sri Lanka. Not with Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who despite being a relative of the former Sri Lankan President, Mahinda Rajapakse, had to wait for ten long years before breaking into the national side. 

A hard hitting left-handed middle-order batsman, Bhanuka made waves as early as 2010, when he emerged as the leading run-getter in the under-19 World Cup. He followed it up with the 'Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year' award and the 'Young emerging U-19 Player' in the following year.