Veteran volleyball coach Abeysirivardhana passes away

By Susil Premalal

G.T.S.K. Abeysirivardhana, one of Sri Lanka’s most respected volleyball personalities, popularly known as ‘Volleyball Abey,’ has passed away at the age of 88.

His final rites were held yesterday (05) at the Matthegoda Crematorium in the presence of many leading figures from Sri Lanka’s sporting community.

Abeysirivardhana served Sri Lankan volleyball for more than three decades in several key roles, including National Volleyball Coach, Treasurer of the Sri Lanka Volleyball Interim Committee, and Volleyball Development Officer at the Department of Sports Development.

An old boy of Prince of Wales’ College, Moratuwa, he excelled in volleyball, athletics, and cricket during his playing career. He also represented the then Vidyodaya University (now the University of Sri Jayewardenepura) on overseas tours and was the vice-captain of the Sri Lankan university team that competed at the 1968 Indian Inter-University Volleyball Championship.

After joining the Ministry of Sports as a sports officer, Abeysirivardhana served as the Volleyball Project Officer at the Department of Sports Development until his retirement.

He was first appointed head coach of the Sri Lanka women’s national volleyball team in 1973 and later coached both the men’s and women’s national teams at numerous international competitions.

Abeysirivardhana was also instrumental in establishing the Siyambalagoda Kapila Sports Club, which has gone on to become one of the country’s most successful volleyball clubs, winning numerous national titles. Widely admired for his dedication, he devoted both his personal time and financial resources to the development of volleyball in Sri Lanka.

In recognition of his outstanding contribution to volleyball and more than 25 years of service to the Ministry of Sports, he was honoured with a Gold Award.