[16] Kulasekara was ranked number one among ODI bowlers on 11 March 2009, remaining in that position until 26 September of that year.

The retirement of Chaminda Vaas and the inconsistency of Lasith Malinga helped him to emerge as the star strike bowler of the Sri Lankan side.

[22] Kulasekara was on the 2009 World ODI team (captained by MS Dhoni), which was announced during the ICC Awards.

[25] Kulasekara and Malinga spearheaded the Sri Lankan team since their debut in 2003 and 2004, where they combined to win matches.

During a Twenty20 international against England in Bristol, they produced match-winning combined figures of three wickets for 30 runs in seven overs.

He made a comeback with two for 37 in seven overs for Colts Cricket Club against Nondescripts, and was recalled for the test and ODI series against South Africa.

Kulasekara and Malinga took seven wickets apiece during the ODI series in Pakistan, which Sri Lanka won 3–0.

[32] In July 2012, Kulasekara was ruled out of the five-ODI series against India after a first-match injury while attempting a catch to dismiss Virender Sehwag in the eleventh over.

[33] On 25 October of that year, he was named as vice-captain of Sri Lanka's T20I squad for its tour against New Zealand.

[34] On 18 January 2013, Kulasekara had his first (and only) five-wicket match with inswing bowling in the third ODI against Australia at Brisbane.

[38] On 13 June 2013, against England in 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, Kulasekara helped skipper Kumar Sangakkara score a century and guided Sri Lanka to victory.

In the powerplay, Kulasekara launched Graeme Swann's off-spin for two successive leg-side sixes and continued to an unbeaten 58 from 38 balls.

[39] After the Champions Trophy, Sri Lanka went to the West Indies for a triangular series with India.

During the match against the West Indies, Kulasekara dislocated the ring finger of his left hand.

His form was off, however, and he missed part of the Bangladesh tour and the 2014 Asia Cup with a groin injury.

Rohit Sharma scored the highest individual ODI total (264); Kulasekara took 1 for 89 in nine overs, and missed the England series.

[52] On 18 December 2015, Kulasekara replaced the injured Dhammika Prasad on Sri Lanka's ODI squad against New Zealand.

He was dismissed for 58 runs, and Sri Lanka scored a total of 188; New Zealand won the match by seven wickets.

I represented my team and nation with the highest amount of pride and admiration; nothing was more important to me than seeing Sri Lanka at the top of world cricket.

On 1 June 2016, Kulasekara announced his retirement from test cricket to focus on limited-over internationals.

[61] However, Sri Lanka Cricket and the selection committee and omitted only Kulasekara from the ODI squad for the Bangladesh tour.

[67] On 29 April 2009, Kulasekara was called to the Kings XI Punjab squad as an emergency replacement for injured Australian batsman Shaun Marsh.

[74][75] Kulasekara was detained by Kadawatha police on 19 September 2016 after he was involved in a road accident which killed a 28-year-old motorcyclist.