Sunil Jayaweera throws support behind reformist athletics group
Former two-time President of Sri Lanka Athletics (SLA), Sunil Jayaweera, has aligned his weight and support on a new faction that pledges to follow an athlete-centered policy, with a clear national policy and accountability. The Jayaweera-backed faction is led by Bimal Wijayasinghe, a seasoned veteran in the corporate sector and a former triple jump and high jump athlete, and a fleet of candidates representing district associations covering almost the entire island.
“The country is in dire need of a clear change, with a clear vision where athletics and the athletes are treated as important components of the system,” Jayaweera, a former Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Education, told reporters in Colombo.
“This group of candidates, representing the entire country, is a formula the country needs right now. There should be equal rights to athletes of all age groups from the entire country,” he added.
With the mission to establish a concrete administrative structure, with transparency, accountability and with a clear pathway to develop the sport by fundamental and secondary models, the group under Wijanasinghe expects to see athletics in Sri Lanka produce champions continually at elite level. The group also had the backing of renowned coach Susantha Fernando and Talavou Alailima, a former national shot put and discus throw athlete, turned qualified strength and conditioning expert.
“As coaches, we have the ability to contribute our expertise and knowledge to ensure the country’s potential talents are nurtured to international level, under a proper development plan. There are many likeminded experts who are willing to come on board and see the intention of these candidates put into action,” Fernando, who unearthed and nurtured many international level athletes, including middle distance runner Tharushi Karunaratne, stated.
Bimal Wijayasinghe will contest for the President’s position against a former head of SLA Sunil Gunawardena, also a renowned athletic coach on Thursday at the Ministry of Sports auditorium in Torrington. His team will have Jagath Gnanasiri and Jayantha Siyamudali competing for the two Vice President’s slots.
“After 12:00 noon on March 12 we believe there would come a fresh start at SLA. Whoever takes the helm of SLA, the main objective should be to serve, preserve, develop and expand the sport within the country and beyond with pure intention. Our pledge is the same, and there will be and should be no factions after the elections. Whatever happens athletics and athletes should be the prime focus,” Wijjayasinghe noted.
Wijayasinghe’s team will field Madhawa Bandara Senarath and Rasika Nilangani, a chartered accountant, as candidates for the positions of Secretary and Treasurer
Alloy Nishantha Wickramasinghe will contest for the Assistant Secretary position, while the Recorder’s post contested by S.M.A.B. Samarakoon. Ten names have been nominated as candidates for the eight vacancies as Committee Members, with Pradeep Peiris, Geetha Pathirana, Geeth Manawadu, Tennyson Abeygunarate, V. Eswaran, Sugath Galagamage, Neville Rodrigo, Prasanna Aluvihare, Amith Prasanna and Chinathaka Gunaratne contesting.