Sri Lanka is known for its rich culture, heritage and of course its sports. From cricket to rugby, Sri Lanka is home to some of the best athletes in the world. Boxing too is no exception and Sri Lanka has produced some of the greatest boxers in the world. From the legendary W.C.
Ramanayake to the current world champion A.P. Samarasekera, Sri Lankan boxers have made a name for themselves in the world of boxing. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best boxers Sri Lanka has ever produced.
1. Manju Wanniarachchi
Manju Dinesh Kumara Wanniarachchi is a Sri Lankan amateur boxer who rose to prominence when he won a gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in the bantamweight category.
He triumphed over Sean McGoldrick in the final but was later stripped of his medal after failing a drug test. Wanniarachchi is an old boy of Vidyartha College, Kandy, which is a prestigious school that has educated many successful Sri Lankan people.
His success on the international stage despite coming from a small nation was remarkable, and it would have been a great source of pride for the school.
Unfortunately, his medal was taken away due to the failed drug test, but this does not take away from the fact that he is a talented and skilled boxer. Wanniarachchi’s story is a reminder that hard work and dedication can still pay off, even in the face of adversity.
2. Hempala Jayasuriya
Hempala Premachandra “Henry” Jayasuriya was a Sri Lankan boxer who represented his country in the men’s bantamweight event at the 1956 Summer Olympics. He was a talented athlete and was determined to make his country proud.
Unfortunately, he was defeated in his match against Robert Bath of Australia. Despite the loss, Jayasuriya was still able to achieve a great deal of success in his sport and has become an inspiration to many aspiring athletes from Sri Lanka.
He has shown that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. His legacy lives on in the hearts of many Sri Lankans, and he will always be remembered for his determination and his courage in the face of adversity.
3. Chandrasena Jayasuriya
Chandrasena Perera Jayasuriya was a Sri Lankan boxer who made history by competing in the men’s lightweight event at the 1956 Summer Olympics. He was the first Sri Lankan boxer to ever compete at the Olympics. This was a remarkable achievement for him and for his country.
He was born in Sri Lanka in 1931 and began his boxing career in 1948. He quickly rose to prominence in the sport, and by 1956, had become one of the top boxers in the country.
He was selected to represent Sri Lanka at the Olympics and joined a select group of athletes who had the honor of representing their country. He put up a valiant effort in the lightweight event but unfortunately did not advance to the medal rounds.
Nevertheless, his participation in the Olympics was a milestone for Sri Lankan boxing, and his legacy lives on.
4. Hatha Karunaratne
Hatha Kapuralalage Karunaratne was a Sri Lankan boxer who had the unique distinction of competing in the men’s light flyweight event at the 1968 Summer Olympics. He was born in Sri Lanka and developed a passion for boxing from a young age.
His career began when he joined a local boxing club and quickly rose to prominence within the Sri Lankan boxing circuit. He trained extensively and competed in various tournaments, eventually earning himself a place in the Olympic team.
At the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, Karunaratne fought in the men’s light flyweight event. He faced stiff competition, but he was able to hold his own and progress to the next round.
Unfortunately, he was defeated by a Cuban boxer in the quarterfinals and his dream of an Olympic medal was not to be. Nevertheless, he was an admirable competitor and his participation at the Olympics was an impressive achievement.
Karunaratne’s performances were highly praised by his fellow competitors and boxing fans. His legacy lives on in the hearts of those who knew him and were inspired by his courage and determination to take part in the Olympics.
His story is a reminder that with hard work and dedication, great things can be achieved.
5. Sumith Liyanage
Sumith Mohandas Liyanage was a Ceylonese sportsman who achieved great success in his chosen field. In 1960, he became the national featherweight champion and was subsequently selected to represent Ceylon at the 1960 Olympic Games.
After his time in the sporting world, he joined the Sri Lanka Police Service and rose through the ranks, eventually becoming the Deputy Inspector-General of Police. This demonstrates his dedication to serving the people of Sri Lanka and his commitment to his career.
Liyanage is an inspiring example of someone who was able to achieve great success in both sport and public service.
6. Dharmasiri Weerakoon
Dharmasiri Weerakoon was an accomplished Sri Lankan boxer who achieved many accolades in his career. From 1956 to 1959, he held the National Champion title in his home country, indicating his prowess as a boxer.
Furthermore, he was the Asian champion in his weight category, demonstrating that he was a formidable opponent in the ring. His accomplishments led him to represent Sri Lanka in the 1960 Rome Summer Olympics, competing in the men’s welterweight event.
Weerakoon’s impressive career as a boxer reflects his dedication to his craft and his determination to be the best in his field.
7. Winston Van Cuylenburg
Winston Van Cuylenburg is a former professional boxer from Sri Lanka. He competed in the bantamweight and featherweight divisions during his career. He was selected to represent Sri Lanka at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, where he competed in the flyweight class.
During his match at the Olympics, Winston managed to knock out his opponent, Lee Kam Wah from Hong Kong, in the second round. This was a remarkable feat, considering the level of competition that Winston had to face.
It shows the dedication and skill that Winston had as a boxer and is a testament to his ability as an athlete.
8. Anurudha Rathnayake
Anurudha Bandara Ratnayake is an Olympic boxer hailing from Sri Lanka. He competed in the flyweight division at the 2008 Summer Olympics held in Beijing, China. Unfortunately, he lost his first match to Robenílson Vieira de Jesus, a boxer from Brazil.
This match was held as part of the Olympic Boxing at the 2008 Summer Olympics in the Flyweight division.
Anurudha Bandara Ratnayake is a highly talented boxer and despite the loss in his first match at the 2008 Summer Olympics, he has gone on to participate in a number of high-profile international competitions including the 2010 Commonwealth Games and the 2012 Asian Boxing Championships.
At the 2010 Commonwealth Games, he won a bronze medal in the Flyweight division and at the 2012 Asian Boxing Championships, he won a silver medal in the same division.
Anurudha Bandara Ratnayake is a dedicated athlete and he continues to train and compete in international tournaments with the aim of representing his country at the highest level.
His commitment to the sport has earned him recognition throughout the world and he is a true inspiration to aspiring boxers everywhere.
9. Eddie Grey
Edward Ian Gray was a prominent figure in Sri Lankan sports and law enforcement. He rose to the rank of Inspector of Police and was the first Sri Lankan to lead the Police Mounted Section.
In addition, he held the prestigious position of Secretary of the National Olympic Committee of Ceylon. Gray’s career in law enforcement began early, and he quickly rose through the ranks.
His dedication to the force earned him the position of Inspector of Police and the first Ceylonese head of the Police Mounted Section.
This was a major milestone in his career, as it put him in charge of a major branch of the police force. In addition to his police work, Gray was also heavily involved in sports.
He served as Secretary of the National Olympic Committee of Ceylon, a post which gave him a great deal of influence in the sporting world.
As Secretary, he was able to help organize and promote Olympic events and was an advocate for Sri Lankan athletes. Gray’s career was an impressive one, and his accomplishments in the field of sports and law enforcement are still remembered today.
He was a pioneer in both fields, and his legacy lives on in Sri Lanka.
10. Alex Obeysekere
Alexander Indrajith Obeysekere was a Ceylonese sportsman who achieved great success in his athletic career. He was the welterweight champion in the 1940s and became the first Ceylonese athlete to win a medal at the British Empire Games.
At the 1950 British Empire Games, he won a Bronze medal in the welterweight division. His success propelled him to be selected as a member of the Ceylon contingent to the 1948 Olympic Games. This was a remarkable achievement for a Ceylonese athlete in that era.
Obeysekere’s accomplishments are even more impressive given the fact that Ceylon was a small country with limited resources for sports at the time. Despite these challenges, Obeysekere managed to become a successful athlete and make his country proud.
His Bronze medal at the 1950 British Empire Games stands as an important milestone in the history of Ceylon’s sporting accomplishments. The legacy of Alexander Indrajith Obeysekere will live on for years to come.
He was a pioneer in Ceylonese sports and paved the way for future generations of Ceylonese athletes to compete on the world stage. His success serves as an inspiration for all those who wish to pursue a career in sports and achieve their dreams.
11. Anusha Kodithuwakku
Anusha Koddithuwakku Dirukshi, known by her first name Anusha, is a professional boxer from Sri Lanka. She generally competes in the light flyweight event, meaning she weighs no more than 108 pounds.
Anusha has a great deal of experience in international boxing competitions, having represented her home country in the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in 2012, 2014, and 2016.
Her most impressive accomplishment was in 2016 when she won the silver medal in the light flyweight division. Anusha is certainly one of the most skilled and successful boxers from Sri Lanka and is a great example of the abundance of talent in the sport.
12. Thiwanka Ranasinghe
Thiwanka Ranasinghe is a Sri Lankan male boxer who has made a name for himself in the international boxing scene. He is renowned for his prowess in the ring and for his dedication to the sport.
Ranasinghe has competed for Sri Lanka at the 2016 South Asian Games and achieved a bronze medal in the men’s 49 kg category. This achievement is a testament to his hard work and his commitment to the sport of boxing.
Despite the tough competition, Ranasinghe was able to perform well and gain recognition from the international community. His performance is a source of pride for the Sri Lankan people, as he has brought a great deal of honor to the nation through his achievements.
Ranasinghe is an inspiration to many aspiring boxers, as he is proof that hard work and dedication can pay off. He is a great example for everyone, showing them that with dedication and hard work, anything is possible.
13. Nelka Shiromala
Thambu Nelka Shiromala is an impressive figure in the Sri Lankan sports world. She has made a name for herself in the world of boxing, both as a competitor and an official. She is considered to be the first female boxing referee in Sri Lanka.
Nelka began her career as a boxer, representing her country in national and international competitions. She was highly successful in her boxing career, earning numerous accolades.
Her most notable accomplishments include being a two-time national champion and winning the bronze medal at the South Asian Games in 1989. After she retired from boxing, Nelka moved into the world of officiating.
She was appointed as a referee at local and international boxing matches. She has officiated in multiple bouts and has earned the respect of many in the boxing community.
She is widely recognized as an excellent referee, relying on her experience as a boxer to make quick and accurate decisions. Nelka has been an inspiration to many young women in Sri Lanka who want to pursue a career in the sports world.
She has achieved success on the national and international stage and has broken barriers in Sri Lankan boxing. She is a true role model for aspiring female boxers and referees.
14. Malcolm Bulner
Malcolm Bulner is a former welterweight boxer from Sri Lanka. He was educated at St. Sylvester’s College, located in his hometown Kandy.
Bulner was an accomplished athlete, representing Ceylon at both the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games as well as the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Bulner’s boxing career was undoubtedly successful, as he was selected to represent his country on a global stage.
His experience at St. Sylvester’s College gave him the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue his dreams and showcase his talent through boxing. He was able to reach the peak of his career during the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games and the 1964 Summer Olympics.
At the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, Bulner was able to demonstrate his boxing skills on a big stage, competing against other talented athletes from across the world.
His performance at the event was impressive, as he emerged victorious against some of the best boxers of the time. At the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Bulner was again successful, competing against some of the best athletes in the world.
He was able to demonstrate his training and dedication, coming away with a medal in the welterweight division. Malcolm Bulner’s career as a welterweight boxer is an inspiration to many. His hard work and dedication, combined with his education at St.
Sylvester’s College enabled him to compete at the highest level and achieve success. His story serves as an example of what can be accomplished when one puts their mind to it.
15. Albert Perera
Albert Perera was a professional boxer from Sri Lanka, who competed in the bantamweight category. He was born in the year 1952 and began his professional career in the year 1971. His first fight was a win against P.C. Perera.
He had an impressive career in the ring, winning a total of 15 fights in his career. He became a highly respected fighter and was known for his strong technique and determination.
Perera was a member of the Sri Lankan National Boxing Team, and he won the National Amateur Boxing Championship twice. He also won the Sri Lankan Professional Boxing Championship twice, and the Tri-Nations Cup once.
In addition to his success in the ring, Perera was an active mentor to young boxers. He provided seminars and classes to aspiring fighters and was a respected voice in the boxing community.
He was also involved in a number of charitable causes, including the Sri Lankan Red Cross, and the Cancer Awareness Program. Albert Perera was a true champion who achieved great success in the ring, and made a significant contribution to the boxing community.
His dedication to the sport and the people of his country will never be forgotten.
Conclusion
Sri Lanka has produced some of the best boxers in the world, including W.D.R.N. Wijesinghe, G.P. Jayaweera, and Sanath Jayasuriya.
These athletes have achieved a great deal of success in the sport of boxing and have earned the respect and admiration of their peers. Sri Lankan boxers are some of the most talented and dedicated athletes in the world and they have proven their worth in the ring.
