Kulasekara made an instant impression in his first ODI, against England at Dambulla in November 2003, after being selected from relative obscurity. From a bustling run-up and whippy open-chested action, he generates a lively pace, moves the ball off the seam and can reverse-swing the ball. Most importantly though, he can maintain a tight line and length. He started his career as a softball enthusiast before he shifted his focus to cricket, joining Nugegoda Cricket Club and then Galle Cricket Club. He also won the best bowler award in the 2002-03 domestic competition. A maiden test fifty against England at Lord's in 2006 showed his natural batting abilities in the lower order. But his bowling during the same tour lacked penetration and he dropped out of the squad for eight months. However, having worked hard on his action and gaining an extra yard of pace, he secured a place in Sri Lanka's World Cup squad. He rose to become one of Sri Lanka's strike bowlers, and in a 11-month period starting April 2008, he took 47 wickets. That helped him jump to the top of the ICC ODI rankings the following March.