SLBA Secretary, former DIG of the Special Task Force, Saman Gunaratne’s Resignation opens a Can of Worms
The Sri Lanka Boxing Association (SLBA) finds itself in chaotic times once again, following the resignation of its Secretary, former DIG of the Special Task Force, Saman Gunaratne. In a strong statement, Gunaratne cited a lack of honesty, transparency, and integrity within the association as the reasons behind his departure, further deepening the crisis within the sport’s governing body.
Gunaratne’s resignation has come as a major blow to the newly elected SLBA Executive Committee, led by President Anuruddha Shanaka Bandara, which was expected to revitalize Sri Lankan boxing after years of decline.
Many had hoped that Bandara’s leadership would steer the sport toward a brighter future after nearly two decades of stagnation under former President Dion Gomes, during which boxing made headlines more for controversies than achievements.
One of the most infamous incidents under Gomes’ tenure was Sri Lanka’s gold medal scandal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, where Manju Wanniarachchi won the bantamweight title only to be stripped of his medal after testing positive for a banned substance.
Further tarnishing the sport’s reputation was the fallout from the 2016 Rio Olympics, where Sri Lankan referee Udeni Kiridena was among all 36 referees and judges removed by the world governing body amid allegations of corruption.
With Gunaratne’s resignation exposing deeper cracks within the SLBA, questions now arise about whether Sri Lanka’s boxing administration under its President Anuruddha Shanka Bandara can ever recover from its long history of mismanagement and controversy.
More Turmoil at SLBA as Diversity Chair Nelka Shiromala Set to Resign Amid Internal Sabotage Allegations
Hot on the heels of SLBA Secretary Saman Gunaratne’s resignation, another major shake-up is set to unfold within the Sri Lanka Boxing Association (SLBA). Chief Inspector Nelka Shiromala, the current Chairperson of SLBA’s Diversity Commission and a two-time Olympic referee and judge, has also indicated that she will soon tender her resignation too.
Shiromala, who recently successfully chaired the SLBA National Tournament, is stepping down amidst growing tensions and internal power struggles within the organization. Her decision comes as no surprise, as she too has been caught in the crossfire of what appears to be an internal sabotage campaign led by top SLBA officials.
Smear Campaign Against a Celebrated Referee
The controversy surrounding Shiromala began when a Sunday newspaper ran a story a couple of Sunday’s ago titled “Celebrated Referee in Hot Water After Breach of IBA Guidelines.” The article targeted her for officiating at a World Boxing event, where she was recognized as the best officiating referee and judge.
The issue arose when the International Boxing Association (IBA) sent letters to several boxing associations, including the SLBA President, Secretary, and Shiromala herself, requesting an explanation as to why referees and judges had not sought their approval to officiate at the tournament.
Incidentally, the fact remains that it was the SLBA President Anuruddha Shanaka Bandara who had officially written to the Ministry of Sports of Sri Lanka approving Shiromala’s participation in the event, that the IBA now questions.
Despite having the opportunity to exercise the right of reply to defend this highly respected female official, there was no counterstatement issued by the SLBA nor its Media Director to clarify the facts or challenge the published narrative, further exposing bias and internal manipulation within the system.
Interestingly, the same Media Director who remained silent on defending Nelka Shiromala was once overly enthusiastic and proactive in ensuring that the Sunday Observer’s sports section prominently featured an article highlighting as to how current SLBA President Anuruddha Shanaka Bandara had been awarded an honorary doctorate from the Washington Digital University in Seattle USA.
Internal Politics at Play?
Shiromala’s good name has been unnecessarily dragged through the mud, raising suspicions that this attack came from within the SLBA itself. With Gunaratne’s resignation citing a lack of integrity and Shiromala now poised to step down, it is becoming increasingly evident that the SLBA is being plagued by internal corruption, power struggles, and orchestrated attacks on its own officials.
As another respected figure prepares to leave, questions remain about the credibility of those still in charge and whether the SLBA is on the brink of complete collapse.
Sri Lanka’s Olympic Boxing Future in Jeopardy as SLBA Sides with Banned IBA
Sri Lanka’s hopes of competing in boxing at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games are hanging by a thread, as the Sri Lanka Boxing Association (SLBA) remains unaffiliated with World Boxing the organization responsible for conducting the boxing events at the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
With the International Boxing Association (IBA) banned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) due to the corruption-ridden Rio 2016 Olympic Games scandal, countries must align with World Boxing to secure Olympic participation. However, SLBA appears to be leaning towards IBA, raising serious concerns about the future of Sri Lankan boxing.
IBA’s Influence Over SLBA
Speculation is rife that the IBA, backed by significant financial resources, has successfully swayed SLBA away from World Boxing under its current President, Anuruddha Shanaka Bandara. This shift has been further reinforced by former SLBA President Dion Gomes’ recent appointment as a Director of IBA, deepening the ties between Sri Lanka’s boxing administration and the banned association.
The repercussions of SLBA’s stance are severe. Currently, SLBA is not even a member of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL), further alienating itself from the Olympic movement. If this situation persists, Sri Lankan boxers and officials may have to compete under the IOC flag rather than their national flag at IOC-sanctioned events, a scenario that would be both humiliating and damaging to the country’s sporting reputation.
A Defiant Move Against IOC and World Boxing
Despite the clear consequences, SLBA continues to align itself with IBA a move that could permanently isolate Sri Lankan boxing from the Olympic circuit. In a blatant challenge to IOC and World Boxing, SLBA is now set to organize an Under-22 Boxing Tournament under the IBA banner, further solidifying its ties with the banned organization.
This decision raises serious questions about whether SLBA’s leadership is acting in the best interests of Sri Lankan boxing or pursuing their own agendas at the cost of athletes, referees, and officials.
With time running out, the boxing community is left wondering, will Sri Lanka be left out of Olympic boxing in 2028, simply due to SLBA’s misguided loyalties to IBA?
