Sri Lanka’s Amateur Rowing Association (ARASL) is set for some big changes as its president, Dimuth Gunawardena, and his executive committee are stepping down from their roles on May 15. This move comes just before the Annual General Meeting (AGM) where all positions will be up for grabs on May 18. The AGM will take place at the Sri Lanka Amateur Rowing Association
Headquarters, located at the Diyawanna Rowing Centre in Battaramulla, starting at 4 PM.
Meanwhile, the departure of Sri Lanka’s rowing coach and technical director, Pedro Sanz, from Spain, along with his family, occurred on April 15. Sanz had been in Sri Lanka since 2022, during Gunawardena’s tenure.
Gunawardena, who took charge of ARASL four years ago after Rohan Fernando, believes it’s time for fresh leadership to come forward for the betterment of sports and the country. Gunawardena, a former student of Royal College, has completed two terms of two years each.
During Sanz’s time as coach, Sri Lanka achieved significant success, including winning the first-ever Asian gold medal in Singles Scull and a bronze medal in Double Scull at the 2023 Asian Coastal Rowing Championship held in Thailand.
The outgoing executive members of ARASL include Sithira Wickramasekara (Vice President), Sri Lanka Navy Lieutenant Commander Damith Lekamge (Vice President), Pasan Ranaweera (General Secretary), Lishan Wickramanayake (Assistant Secretary), Pradeep Maddumabandara (Treasurer), Lahiru Herath (Assistant Treasurer), and Rohan Fernando (Committee Member).
The AGM scheduled for May 18 will see new elections for every position, starting at 4 PM at the Diyawanna Rowing Centre in Battaramulla.
Sajeewa Jayakody