Sri Lanka are set to participate in the ASBC Asian Elite Men and Women Boxing Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand, which will begin on November 28th. The Boxing Federation are prepared to send a 13-member contingent for the Championships.
Sri Lanka’s Boxing team is making strides on the international stage, showcasing a 13-member squad for the ASBC Asian Elite Boxing Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand. This selection follows their impressive presence at the ASBC Asian Junior and Schoolboys & Schoolgirls Championships, and was finalized after the Layton Cup, which played a key role in identifying top talent.
Led by Dr. Anuruddha Shanaka Bandara, the proactive President of the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), the team is undergoing final preparations at the Army Cantonment in Panagoda, near Colombo. Dr. Bandara has emphasized the importance of international exposure, stating, “Our goal is to equip our elite boxers with the experience and training needed to excel in future competitions, especially the 2026 Commonwealth and Asian Games.”
The squad includes seasoned athletes and rising stars. Notable female contenders include Nadeeka Pushpakumari, with 12 years of experience, competing in the Women’s minimum weight (48kg), and Ishara Thushari Perera, a multiple national titleholder in the light flyweight (50kg). Sanduni Priyadarshani, debuting in the flyweight (52kg), and Kasthuri Arachchige Keshani Hansika, the 33-year-old recovering from injuries to win the Layton Cup, complete the Women’s team.
On the Men’s side, standouts include Hasitha Nuwan Jinadasa, crowned Best Boxer at the Layton Cup, and Umayanga Mihiran, a promising 21-year-old flyweight (51kg) who narrowly missed Paris Olympic qualification. Commonwealth Games Quarter Finalist Rukmal Prasanna, competing in the featherweight (57kg), is another key contender. Additionally, gold medalists Suranga Fernando and Chinthana Udayakumara, and 20-year-old middleweight prospect Yazmin Muhammad Usaith bring depth to the team.
The squad is managed by Major General Arosha Rajapaksha and guided by a skilled coaching team, including Amila Aravinda Thissera, Sajeewa Dassanayake, Chandana Kumara, and Sameera Karunarathne. BASL Development Committee Secretary Tharanga Perera serves as Assistant Manager.
Sri Lanka will compete in 13 of 25 weight categories against athletes from countries like Bangladesh, Yemen, and Palestine. The event serves as both a platform for potential medal wins and a stepping stone toward preparing for larger international competitions. With their sights set on the future, the team is determined to deliver a strong performance and elevate the country’s status in Asian Boxing.
The Sri Lankan touring squad will be as follows:
MEN
48kg: T.H.N. Jinadasa (Police)
51kg: G.P.U. Mihiran (Police)
54kg: G.J.K.R. Kumara (Vidyarathana SC)
57kg: P.A.R. Prasanna (Army)
63.5kg: H.A.H.D. Hettiarachchi (Navy)
67kg: P.S.P.S. Fernando (Army)
71kg: I.P.D.C. Udayakumara (Air Force)
75kg: Y.M. Usaith (St. Sylvester’s BC)
86kg: Y.S.P. Sudamma (Army)
WOMEN
48kg: R.A.N. Pushpakumari (Vidyarathana SC)
50kg: K.K.I.T. Perera (Air Force)
52kg: H.S. Priyadarshani (Army)
57kg: K.A.K. Hansika (Vidyarathana SC)
Team Manager: Major General Arosha Rajapaksha
Assistant Manager: Tharanga Perera
Coaches: Amila Aravinda Thissera, Sajeewa Dassanayake, Chandana Kumara and Sameera Karunarathna
