Asanga Seneviratne pulls out a rabbit

By. Susil Premalal

Apr.27 (Mirror Sports) - In a most shocking election result Asanga Seneviratne was elected as the new president of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka for the 2026–2030 term, winning by a margin of five votes at a closely contested election held at the Olympic House Auditorium on Saturday.

The election was conducted under the supervision of a special representative from the Olympic Council of Asia and an election committee chaired by retired Supreme Court Judge K.T. Chithrasiri. An old boy of S. Thomas’ College, Seneviratne is a former president of Sri Lanka Rugby and contested as the president of the Amateur Baseball/Softball Association. He polled 16 votes to defeat his main rival Jaswar Umar, president of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka who secured 11 votes. Shirantha Peiris, vice president of the National Shooting Sport Federation, finished third with just two votes. 

Deva Henry and Prethiviraj Perera withdrew their nominations at last minute. In the contest for Secretary General, former secretary Rifdy Fahmy of the Aquatic Sports Union won with 17 votes defeating Nishantha Piyasena, who received 13 votes. This year’s election was notably one of the most intense in NOCSL history, with reports indicating political influence undisclosed financial dealings, and promises of benefits playing a role, particularly in the presidential race. 

Reacting to the outcome, Peiris questioned the sudden shift in voter behavior during the final two days. Umar, expressing disappointment, said he had expected victory but did not receive the anticipated result, suggesting it “could have been a planned conspiracy,” while accepting defeat. 

In his first comments after the win Seneviratne said that with the support of the Sports Ministry, he aims to focus on ten selected sports with Olympic potential and launch a targeted international medal campaign.

He added that transforming Sri Lanka’s sports sector within the next four years would be his primary objective, with support expected from both the public and private sectors. 

Sri Lanka can only harp on one Olympic medal in 75 years thanks to sprinter Susanthika Jayasinghe in 2000 although Olympic officials continued to make pompous claims and are masters at globe-trotting and serving themselves. 

New NOCSL Office Bearers:

• President: Asanga Seneviratne (Amateur Baseball/Softball Association).
• Vice Presidents: Prethiviraj Perera (Canoeing & Kayaking), Niloo Jayatilake (Sri Lanka Golf), Sarath Hewawitharana (Wrestling), Iqbal Issack (Tennis).
• Secretary General: Rifdy Fahmy (Aquatic Sports Union).
• Assistant Secretary:Ashmitha Gunaratne (Amateur Rowing Association).
• Treasurer: Ajith Siyambalapitiya (National Fencing Association).
• Assistant Treasurer: Dasun Wijesingha (Taekwondo).
• Committee Members: Pavithra Fernando (Sri Lanka Rugby), Danuna Tilakaratne (Climbing & Mountaineering), Kosala Wickramanayake (Sri Lanka Equestrian Association).