A powerful tribute to Sri Lanka’s boxing heritage will bring together legendary fighters, global boxing figures, and sports leaders in Pannipitiya to celebrate the athletes who carried the nation’s boxing spirit through decades of triumph and sacrifice.
Sri Lanka’s boxing community is preparing to celebrate a historic moment as veteran fighters who shaped the nation’s proud pugilistic tradition will be honoured at a special felicitation ceremony later this month.
The event, organized by the Ceylon Boxing Federation, will take place on Saturday, 21 March at Arawwala in Pannipitiya, beginning at 5.30 p.m. The ceremony is expected to bring together former champions, sports officials, diplomats, and members of the public in recognition of the athletes who contributed significantly to the development of boxing in Sri Lanka.
For decades, boxing has been one of the country’s most respected sporting disciplines, producing fighters who competed with courage and pride while carrying the Sri Lankan flag into local and international arenas. Many of these athletes are now veterans whose achievements remain an integral part of the nation’s sporting heritage. The upcoming ceremony aims to acknowledge their sacrifices and celebrate their enduring legacy.
The initiative is spearheaded by the Ceylon Boxing Federation, an organization established in recent years with the aim of reviving and strengthening boxing across the country. The federation was founded under the leadership of its President, former Thurstan College boxer Dushantha Kiriella, whose vision has been to unite past champions, coaches, and officials in rebuilding a strong national boxing culture.
Kiriella’s efforts have brought together many of the sport’s respected figures who once dominated rings across the island. Their collective goal has been to ensure that Sri Lanka’s boxing heritage is preserved while creating opportunities for future generations of fighters.
Beyond promoting the sport itself, the federation has also focused on improving the welfare of former boxing champions who contributed to Sri Lanka’s sporting achievements. Several initiatives have already been undertaken to support these veterans, and additional welfare programmes are being planned to further assist them in the years ahead.
A key figure behind the federation’s operations is its Secretary, Major (Retd.) Mahinda Hettiarachchi, himself a former champion boxer and a proud product of Thurstan College. His leadership and experience have played a crucial role in organizing the upcoming felicitation ceremony while strengthening the federation’s broader efforts to promote boxing in Sri Lanka.
The Executive Committee of the federation consists of several respected personalities within the local boxing fraternity. Retired Senior Superintendent of Police Rohana Ajith Gunarathne, a former St. Sylvester’s College boxer, serves as the First Vice President. The position of Treasurer is held by former Nalanda College and Sri Lankan national boxer Nalin Jayasinghe.
The committee also includes several accomplished former champions such as W. M. Chithrananda, Jagath Neththikumara, and K. A. D. Luxman. Former St. Mary’s College boxers Angelo Jesudasan and Stanley Sirimanne are also actively involved in the federation’s organizing team and have been working to ensure the success of the event.
Supporting the federation’s activities is an Advisory Committee that includes former Trinity College boxing captain and Stubbs Shield Best Boxer Lion Ikram Odayar, along with Marshad Barry and Nalaka Wakkumbura. Their experience and guidance continue to play an important role in strengthening the federation’s initiatives.
The ceremony will also receive international recognition through the presence of Her Excellency Patricia Lazara Pego Guerra, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Sri Lanka, who will attend as the Chief Guest. Cuba has long been regarded as one of the most successful boxing nations in the world, particularly in Olympic competition, making her presence especially meaningful for the event.
Joining the celebration as Guest of Honour will be Vinod Kalarickal Sukumaran, the World Boxing Council CARE Middleweight Champion and WBC CARE Ambassador representing Australia and Dubai. Sukumaran has gained recognition within the global boxing community for his achievements and his continued commitment to promoting the sport.
In addition to his accomplishments in the ring, Sukumaran has played an active role in inspiring young athletes and promoting boxing values through charitable and community initiatives under the WBC CARE programme. His presence at the event is expected to motivate aspiring Sri Lankan fighters and sports enthusiasts.
Among the distinguished guests expected to attend the ceremony is General Jagath Jayasuriya (Retd.), the 19th Commander of the Sri Lanka Army. Before rising to the highest levels of military leadership, Jayasuriya was himself a boxer representing Royal College and once won the prestigious Stubbs Shield Best Boxer title.
The felicitation ceremony will also honour several prominent figures who made lasting contributions to Sri Lankan boxing. Among them is DIG (Retd.) Sumith Liyanage, widely recognized as Sri Lanka’s oldest living Olympian. Liyanage represented the country in boxing at the 1960 Rome Olympic Games, becoming part of a historic generation of athletes who carried Sri Lanka’s hopes onto the international stage.
Former national boxer L. V. Douglas will also be recognized for his long standing dedication and service to the sport. In addition, T. J. Ismail, regarded as one of the most talented pugilists produced by Sri Lanka, will be honoured for his achievements and influence on the development of boxing in the country.
During the ceremony, the Ceylon Boxing Federation will also confer Honorary Memberships on several veteran boxing personalities in appreciation of their lifelong contributions to promoting and nurturing the sport.
A special moment of remembrance will be included in the programme as well. A posthumous award will be presented in memory of Allam Ousman, a former Royal College boxer who later became a respected sports journalist. Through his work in sports reporting, Ousman played an important role in highlighting boxing and promoting Sri Lankan sport.
Organizers believe the event will not only celebrate past achievements but also inspire a new generation of athletes. By honouring the pioneers of the sport, the federation hopes to remind the nation of boxing’s rich tradition and encourage greater support for the discipline among young sports enthusiasts.
As Sri Lanka’s boxing community gathers in Pannipitiya later this month, the ceremony is expected to stand as a powerful tribute to the fighters who shaped the country’s boxing history while reaffirming the values of courage, discipline, and national pride that define the sport.
