However, Hemantha initially refused the offer but after some negotiations and deliberations he agreed to join the junior national athletic squad.
He eventually took part at the South Asian Junior Athletics Championships in the same year and claimed a bronze medal in the men's 1500m race category.
[11] Hemantha played for Sri Lanka Navy Sports Club in the 2017–18 Premier League Tournament Tier B.
[14] He scored his maiden List A half-century on 4 March 2019, against Moors Sports Club in the 2018–19 Premier Limited Overs Tournament.
[18] He received his maiden call-up for the Sri Lanka A team for the series against England Lions, following his breakthrough performance in 2022/23 season representing Burgher Recreation Club showing his all-round prowess with the bat and ball scoring in excess of 500 runs and picking up a tally of 40 wickets.
[19] He also played an instrumental role in helping Dambulla to clinch the 2023 National Super League Limited Overs Tournament by being the pick of the bowlers bagging 13 wickets at an healthy average of 13.61.
[23] In April 2023, Hemantha earned his maiden call-up to the Sri Lanka cricket team for their Test series against Ireland,[24] following his impressive performances against the England Lions.