Veteran boxers to be honoured at special felicitation

By Susil Premalal

The Ceylon Boxing Federation (CBF) will hold a special felicitation ceremony to honour several veteran Sri Lankan boxers who have made significant contributions to the development of boxing in the country.

The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 21 at Arawwala, Pannipitiya beginning at 5.30 pm.

Patricia Lazara Pego Guerra, ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Sri Lanka, will attend the ceremony as the chief guest. Cuba is globally recognised for its rich boxing tradition.

World Boxing Council (WBC) CARE Middleweight Champion and WBC CARE Ambassador for Australia and Dubai, Vinod Kalarickal Sukumaran, will join the occasion as the guest of honour. 

Army Commander General Jagath Jayasuriya is also expected to attend as a distinguished guest.

Among those to be honoured are retired DIG Sumith Liyanage, Sri Lanka’s oldest living Olympian, who represented the country in boxing at the 1960 Rome Olympic Games.

Former national boxer LV Douglas will also be recognized for his long-standing service to the sport while TJ Ismail, regarded as one of Sri Lanka’s finest pugilists, will be felicitated for his achievements and influence in the local boxing arena.

During the ceremony, the Ceylon Boxing Federation will also award honorary memberships to several veteran boxing personalities in appreciation of their lifelong contributions to the sport.

A special posthumous award will also be presented in memory of former Royal College boxer and veteran sports journalist Allaam Ousman for his contribution to the promotion of boxing and sports in Sri Lanka.