Namal Pathirage new head of Professional Sports Journalists’ Association

By Susil Premalal

Veteran sports journalist Namal Pathirage has been elected unopposed as the new President of the Professional Sports Journalists’ Association of Sri Lanka (PSJASL) following unanimous support from the membership.

He was elected during the 2026–2027 Annual General Meeting and Election of the association, held at the Public Services Sports Club headquarters in Narahenpita in Colombo.

A founding member of the PSJASL, Pathirage currently serves as the Deputy Sports Editor of the Lankadeepa, the sister newspaper of the Daily Mirror.

An old boy of Christian Mission College, Kotte, Pathirage has more than 30 years of experience in sports journalism. Throughout his career, he has covered numerous major international sporting events, including the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, South Asian Games and the Lusofonia Games, as well as international athletics, football and netball competitions.

Following his election, Pathirage said he will work closely with both the public and private sectors to implement several initiatives aimed at improving the welfare and professional development of sports journalists in Sri Lanka.