Sports promoter and gentleman police officer B.M. Bodhi Liyanage made his final journey to Mahiyawa General Cemetery where he was cremated on Sunday. Many mourners lined the cemetery with his wife, two daughters, two granddaughters, two sons- in-law and other family members who joined in his last journey. It is customary for Bodhi to visit his home in Kandy once a month and do some cleaning. It was while coming down the stairway that he is said to have suffered the accident when he tripped and knocked his head. The cause of his death was due to brain stem.
There were emotional scenes on the streets as the sports promoter’s coffin was brought after 4.00 p.m. with full Police honors. The funeral was given a police escort, where top police officers like IGP Pujith Jayasundara, Senior DIG M.R Latheef, STF Commandant and many top police officers both present and past were present at his last journey.
Bodhi as he was well known was one time president of the Kandy Association Football league and Sri Lanka Football Federation. When he breathed his last he was 69 years old. It is a loss to many communities throughout the country and will leave a significant gap. He dedicated his life to serving sports and the country. He had a dream that Sri Lanka could compete with the best of the best in sports and public life. He was dedicated to ensuring his service. At the time of his death, he was a retired senior Deputy Inspector General of Police, who was dedicated to all Sri Lankans. He started his police career as an ASP and ended up as a senior DIG and the first STF big boss.
When Bodhi became the president of Kandy Association Football League he had a very clear mission. He wanted Kandy football to hit the top. It was under his presidency for the first time Kandy Association Football League won the Inter league tournament in 1992, and when Kandy won he was in the UK on a mission. The winning team was given a chance to tour Nepal for a tournament that was the first time a Kandy team flew overseas for football.
Bodhi Liyanage became the first person from Kandy Association League to become the first president of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka. He schooled in Galle at Mahinda College where he excelled in sports. It was during his presidency the much needed football house was opened.
He also served in the committees of the Kandy Youth Sport Club, Kandy Sports Club, Kandy District Cricket Association and Central Province Cricket Association. He gave a big hand for Kandy Police sports putting up a tennis court at the Police Barracks. He maintained the Police grounds as well, and promoted all sports, especially Volleyball, Football, Hockey Cricket and Cue sport. At the time of his death he was still active.
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