A new era dawned for boxing in Sri Lanka with the election of Anuruddha Bandara, a former schools’ boxing champion from Polonnaruwa as the new president of the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (BASL).
His elevation to the top post marked the first contested election in more than two decades, ending the long unchallenged reign of Dian Gomes.
Bandara, who serves as the Honorary Consul General of Sri Lanka in Guinea, faced off against Wasantha Kumara, a BASL vice president and received 10 votes. Kumara garnered just five votes.
The election was overseen by a three-member Election Committee chaired by retired Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya and appointed by the Ministry of Sports.
A product of Medirigiya Central College and Royal College, Polonnaruwa, Bandara made his mark by winning his debut at the LV Jayaweera inter-school boxing meet and later distinguished himself as a coach in Guinea.
“I wish to invite all those who love boxing to join hands with us. I have a good team to develop boxing. We want to form a national pool with many plans to promote boxing.
“We can’t do this alone. We want the support of all boxing lovers. We want to correct any mistakes made in the past and work with everyone in the future,” said Bandara, extending an olive branch to his rivals.
Former Sri Lanka boxing captain and South Asian Games medallist DIG Saman Gunaratna edged out veteran administrator retired Lt Col Hemantha Weerasinghe for the key position of secretary.
“We came together as a team in this election because we want to do something for the future of our children.
“We hope to form a national pool and a kind of academy to create a pathway for boxers at school level to excel at international level. We hope to nurture young talent and bring back the glory of boxing with the help of the Tri-Services,” said Gunaratna.
Dian Gomes, a director of the International Boxing Association (IBA), had remarked before the election’s outcome that the new leadership would face significant challenges.
“My advice to them was to bring the people together, give even the opposition some work and allocate some work for them. There are two critical roles – the secretary’s role and the financial transparency. That’s the most responsible job,” said Gomes lauding DIG Gunaratna as one who could live up to the billing.
Vice presidents elected were SP Eric Perera and Commander Udaya Kumaratunga with Brig. Kasun Adhikari as assistant secretary and Amila Dissanayake as treasurer.
