Former Olympian Damayanthi Darsha was elected as one of the eight vice presidents among 14 candidates at the election of the Sri Lanka Athletics (SLA), held at the Duncan White auditorium of the Sports Ministry last Saturday . Darsha was elected into office for the first time receiving 53 votes . After she retired from athletics in 2007 this is a good chance to her to serve uplift sports as an administrator .
Ajith Naragala received the highest number of 76 votes in the contest for vice presidency while long standing administrator G.L.S. Perera was also re-elected as a vice president. Major General Palitha Fernando and Prema Pinnawala were re- elected for top posts, President and Secretary respectively. The three year term from 2021-2024 is going to be big challenge for the athletic officials . Sri Lanka Athletics (SLA) has drawn up a four-year plan (2021-2024) for athletes to shine on the international stage with the help of State and private sector sponsorships.
The President Fernando, who first held office in the SLA administration in 1979, became President in 2007, and has held office for four terms – 2007 to 2011, 2013 to 2014 and 2017 to 2021 and once again re elected this time (2021 to 2024). Meanwhile veteran sports administrator Pinnawela who first held office in the 1960s, became Secretary in 1999 and held the position till 2011.
He was then re-elected for the post from 2013 to 2014, and again from 2017 to 2021. And once again this time 2021 to 2024. The one time Secretary of the National Olympic Committee Pinnawala is the most experienced official of this athletic administration body .
Saman Kumara Gunawardena the recorder of the Sri Lanka athletics once again re elected for the same post uncontested . He first held office in the Association in 1989, and became Recorder in 1994, and holds the post since then.
Meanwhile Sri Lanka Athletics will be celebrating its centenary on 18 February 2022. The athletics authorities are making preparations to celebrate the centenary with a grand international event with the participation of super stars hopefully with the Covid-19 health regulations. SLA is hoping to invite Asian Athletic Association president Dahlan Umaan Al Hamad, World Athletic President Seb Coe and World Athletic Vice President Sergei Bubka for the event.
Following are the SLA office-bearers for 2021-2024:
President– Maj. Gen. (rtd) Palitha Fernando
Vice Presidents – Ajith Haragala (76 votes), Lal Chandrakumara (62), Jagath Gnanasiri (62), Chandana Ekanayake (57), G.L.S. Perera (56), Prasantha Indika (53), Damayanthi Darsha (53) Upali Amarathunga
General Secretary – Prema Pinnawela
Asst Secretary – Palitha Jayathilleke
Treasurer – Shantha de Silva
Asst Treasurer – H.A. Upali
Athletic Recorder – Saman Kumara Gunawardena.
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