By Marlon Dale Ferreira
A near clean sweep for candidates masks a critical twist, as one nomination is rejected outright while another heads to a decisive General Assembly vote, adding intrigue to the NOCSL election race.
The race for control of Sri Lanka’s Olympic body has entered a decisive phase, with the Independent Election Commission releasing its final list of eligible and non-eligible candidates for the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka election scheduled for April 25, 2025.
The list, cleared by the three-member committee appointed to oversee the process, confirms that the majority of candidates have been approved. However, two key decisions have drawn attention, introducing an element of controversy into the election landscape.
Out of all submissions, only one candidate has been outright rejected. Varun Ajith Ashokkumar Jeyakumar, who contested for the post of Treasurer, has been disqualified, making him the only rejected candidate in the entire list. In addition, Nomal Navamini Ekanayake has had his nomination referred to the General Assembly following an appeal, meaning his eligibility will be decided through a vote. All other candidates have been cleared to contest.
PRESIDENT
- Charles Wellington Edevarajah Henry
- Asanga Chandana Seneviratne
- Jaswar Umar Lebbe
- Shiraz Justin Milroy Peries
- Rohan Prithviraj Perera
SECRETARY GENERAL
- Mohamed Fahmy Mohamed Rifdy
- Katuwala Gamage Nishanthie Indunil Piyasena
VICE PRESIDENT
- Iqbal Bin Issack
- Rohan Prithviraj Perera
- Asanga Chandana Seneviratne
- Biyagama Darshan Niloo Fernando
- Nee Jayatilake Korotage Bimal Prasanna Wijayasinghe
- Dodanduwe Sarath Janaka Hewawitharana
- Lt Col Ajith Kumara Siyambalapitiya
- Sajeewa Chandana Medawatta
- Roshan Priyantha Rubasin Gunawardena
- Dhanal Visvanathan
ASSISTANT SECRETARY
- Dodanduwe Sarath Janaka Hewawitharana
- Jayawardane Pathiranage Dona Samanthika Jithanganie Dharmapala Nanayakkara
- Ashmitha Senaya Gunaratne
TREASURER
- Wiesinghe Arachchilage Dasun Aroshana Wijesinghe
- Lt Col Ajith Kumara Siyambalapitiya
- Nomal Navamini Ekanayake (Referred to General Assembly for decision)
- Varun Ajith Ashokkumar Jeyakumar (Rejected)
ASSISTANT TREASURER
- Wiesinghe Arachchilage Dasun Aroshana Wijesinghe
- Dona Sankade Tuthis Ariyachandra
COMMITTEE MEMBER
- Ishan Akhry Ameer
- Mahinda Liyanage
- Kosala Rohana Wickramanayake
- Jayawardane Pathiranage Dona Samanthika Jithanganie Dharmapala Nanayakkara
- Isuru Pavithra Fernando
- Danuna Tilakaratne
- Roshan Priyantha Rubasin Gunawardena
- Kaluhathu Upali Rajapakse
The Treasurer category remains the most closely watched, not only because it includes the only rejected candidate but also due to the uncertainty surrounding the referred nomination, which will ultimately be decided by the General Assembly.
The Independent Election Commission has confirmed that both eligible and non-eligible candidates have the right to request written clarification regarding the decisions taken during the eligibility review process, ensuring transparency in the proceedings.
With nearly all candidates cleared, one rejection, and one pending decision, the stage is now set for a highly competitive and closely scrutinized election that will determine the future leadership of Sri Lanka’s Olympic movement.
