Sriyani Kulawansa is President of Sri Lanka Olympians
Former Lankan Olympians did not have an ordinary gathering, they met to group up serve the country, which they took pride in representing at the Olympics
Veteran women’s athlete Sriyani Kulawansa was elected uncontested as President of the Sri Lanka Olympians (SLO) Association at its first Annual General Meeting held at the Olympics House yesterday. Their motto is ‘Once an Olympian, always and Olympian’. The newly elected Sri Lanka Olympians are to meet President Maithripala Sirisena later this month.
The members of the Association are members of Sri Lanka contingents from 1948 London Olympics to the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Sriyani Kulawansa has represented Sri Lanka at three Olympics (1992, 1996 and 2000). She is an Asian and Commonwealth Games medallist. Her event is 100 m Hurdles. She is currently the holder of the Sri Lanka record in this event.
The main object of the association is the welfare of old Olympians and future Olympic medal winners.
The Patron of the Association is Olympic Silver medalist Susanthika Jayasinghe. She is the lifetime patron of the association. The Vice President is Sugath Tillekeratne. The Secretary is Damayanthi Dharsha and Treasurer is Boxer Anuruddha Ratnayake.
There are four members in the committee. They are Julian Bolling (Swimming), Mahesh Perera (Athletics), Ruwini Abeymanne (Rifle Shooting) and Harijan Ratnayake (Athletics).
The AGM is valid for four years. Sri Lanka is the 148th country to adapt an Olympians Association. They have unearthed 68 Sri Lankan Olympians who are currently live in Sri Lanka. Eighteen of them are living abroad. Twenty eight of them have expired.
Sriyani Kulawansa, the President of the Association said that the newly elected members of the association will meet President Maithripala Sirisena for a discussion soon. A plan is being made to present several choices to the President on that day.
Two of the main objectives to be discussed are a pensions scheme and an insurance scheme as well as to evaluate and appreciate their performances of these athletes in the past.