Making his first class debut in 1998/99, Warnapura did not play international cricket for Sri Lanka until 2007.
He made his highest first class score of 242 playing for Sri Lanka A against Bangladesh A in 2007.
Despite his aggressive shots as an opening batsman with Michael Vandort, and in late with Tharanga Paranavitana, he was dropped from the team after Pakistan series in 2009.
Until his doors were closed to the international arena, Malinda played 14 Tests with 2 centuries and 3 ODIs.
He is now acting as a television commentator for sports as well as playing domestic cricket.