Sri Lanka boxing controversy deepens after a medal-less Glasgow campaign amid allegations over selections, governance and ministry oversight.
The Sri Lanka boxing controversy has intensified following the country’s medal-less Commonwealth Games campaign, with serious allegations now surrounding team selection, governance and regulatory oversight.
Sri Lanka sent six boxers to Glasgow 2026, a figure confirmed by the Commonwealth Games Association of Sri Lanka. The official contingent comprised four men and two women.
Critics argue that what should have showcased national boxing talent instead exposed deeper problems within the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (BASL). They allege nepotism, vote-trading, financial irregularities and misconduct influenced decisions behind the scenes.
The allegations remain disputed and have not been established through a formal finding seen by The Morning Telegraph.
Sri Lanka Boxing Controversy and the ‘Horana Monopoly’
The composition of the Commonwealth Games boxing squad raised questions among critics about the geographical background of those selected.
According to information provided to The Morning Telegraph, the selected boxers and coaches were:
- Rukmal Prasanna, 55kg, Horana, Sri Lanka Army
- Ravindu Jayanath, 60kg, Horana, Infinity Boxing Club
- Chamil Pathmasiri, 65kg, Horana, Sri Lanka Army
- Sithija Prathap, listed in the supplied material at 70kg, Horana, Sri Lanka Army
- Nadeeka Pushpakumari, 51kg, Horana, Vidyarathana Sports Club
- Keshani Hansika, 57kg, Horana, Vidyarathana Sports Club
- Amila Aravinda Thisera, Coach, Horana
- Sanjeeva Dassanayake, Coach, Horana
Commonwealth Games reporting, however, records Sithija Prathap competing in the men’s 80kg division, rather than 70kg.
Critics allege the concentration of selections around Horana was not coincidental. Insiders further allege an arrangement involving Army Boxing leadership and BASL official Anuradha Bandara, claiming national-team positions became linked to four voting-block votes.
The Morning Telegraph has not independently verified evidence establishing such an arrangement.
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The Morning Telegraph • September 18, 2026 • 4 min readQuestions Over How the Trials Were Conducted
Criticism also surrounds the selection process itself.
Those questioning the process say BASL initially identified the 2025 National Boxing Championships as the selection criterion.
Ravindu Jayanath had suffered a knockout defeat at the 2025 Nationals. Contemporary reporting confirms Army’s Piyal Dharmasena defeated Jayanath by knockout in the under-54kg final.
The source material alleges Jayanath later advanced through a controversial semifinal against Asian bronze medallist Umayanga Mihiran before losing another final to Rukmal Prasanna. The allegation that the semifinal result was deliberately fixed has not been independently established.
Critics say BASL subsequently staged another trial at the Panagoda Army Camp. They argue that holding the selection inside the military facility restricted public access and created an advantage for preferred fighters.
Questions were also raised over Jayanath moving into the 60kg category after previously competing at a lower weight.
At Glasgow, Jayanath represented Sri Lanka in the men’s 60kg event. He defeated Max Makana of the Solomon Islands 5-0 before losing 4-1 to Guernsey’s Niall Adams.
Medal-Less Glasgow Campaign Fuels Criticism
Sri Lanka ultimately finished without a boxing medal at the Commonwealth Games.
Chamil Pathmasiri lost by knockout to Zambia’s Emmanuel Katema in the men’s 65kg event. Sithija Prathap was stopped by Canada’s Joshua Ofori in the men’s 80kg Round of 32.
Rukmal Prasanna lost 4-0 to England’s Ellis Trowbridge in the men’s 55kg Round of 16.
Jayanath, meanwhile, progressed after defeating Makana 5-0. He then lost 4-1 on points to Niall Adams of Guernsey.
The source article alleges officials promoted Jayanath as a “top-16 globally ranked” boxer. However, the currently available IBA ranking profile lists Ravindu Jayanath Kumara at No. 39 in the Elite Men’s 51-54kg category, based on the ranking displayed when checked.
The source also criticises corner management under Coach Amila Aravinda Thisera and Assistant Coach Sanjeeva Dassanayake. It alleges their instructions during bouts included repeated calls of “Hit… Hit… Hit!”
Those criticisms represent the assessment of the article’s sources. The Morning Telegraph has not independently established the coaches’ level of experience or the context surrounding those instructions.
Allegations Over Governance and Oversight
The Sri Lanka boxing controversy extends beyond results inside the ring.
Critics allege BASL introduced a LKR 7,500 participation fee per club while providing some teams only a few weeks’ notice before trials.
They argue these conditions disproportionately affect smaller clubs with limited financial resources and potentially reduce access to national selection opportunities.
The Department of Sports Development’s official 2026 calendar identifies the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka as the governing association responsible for a programme of national competitions. These include the National Championships and several other tournaments.
Questions have also been directed at National Selection Committee Chairwoman Shriyani Kulawansa.
The article’s sources claim regional clubs submitted written warnings and formal protests over alleged changes to selection criteria and biased trials. They allege Kulawansa failed to intervene.
The Morning Telegraph has not independently verified the contents or disposition of those complaints.
The source material also contains serious allegations concerning why the Ministry of Sports allegedly failed to act against claimed constitutional and financial violations within BASL.
Those allegations include claims involving Larisha Kahatapitiya, described in the source material as being closely linked to head coach Amila Tissera. Insiders allege improper personal and sexual inducements were offered to ministry officials to protect BASL leadership from scrutiny.
These are exceptionally serious allegations. The Morning Telegraph has not independently verified them, and no evidence reviewed for this article establishes that such inducements occurred. The individuals and institutions named are entitled to respond to the claims.
Public Money and the Demand for Accountability
The controversy also raises questions about how public and sporting funds support international participation.
The Commonwealth Games Association of Sri Lanka announced a £5,250 preparation grant for boxing ahead of Glasgow 2026.
Critics argue taxpayers and sporting bodies deserve confidence that international places are awarded transparently and on sporting merit.
However, the Glasgow results themselves present a more nuanced picture than the original criticism suggests.
Although Sri Lanka won no boxing medals, Ravindu Jayanath recorded a victory before his elimination. Nadeeka Pushpakumari also defeated Scotland’s Brooke Neely before reaching the quarterfinals. Keshani Kasthuriarachchi reached a quarterfinal as well.
Those results do not resolve the allegations surrounding selection. Nor do they establish that the selection process was improper.
The central issue is whether BASL and sports authorities can demonstrate that selection criteria were consistent, transparent and applied fairly to every boxer.
For Sri Lankan boxing, that question now extends beyond one medal-less Commonwealth Games campaign.
If concerns over trials, governance, expenditure and oversight remain unresolved, confidence among athletes and clubs risks deteriorating further. Transparent selection criteria, documented decision-making and proper examination of formal complaints would allow those allegations to be tested against evidence rather than left to deepen divisions within the sport.
