Dr. Maiya Gunasekera returns as National Sports Council Chairman

• New Sports Minister removes Arjuna Ranatunga and appoints new members

Newly appointed Sports Minister Harin Fernando has sacked former Sri Lanka Cricket Captain Arjuna Ranatunga as Chairman of the National Sports Council and replaced him with reputed rugby personality Dr. Maiya Gunasekera.

Dr. Gunasekera is a former President of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) and a former Captain of the Sri Lanka Rugby Team. He also served as a former National Sports Council Chairman for seven years.

In a major restructuring move the Minister announced the formation of a new 15-member National Sports Council comprising personalities with diverse expertise and experience across various domains.

The newly formed National Sports Council comprises

Chairman – Dr. Maiya Gunasekera, Secretary – I.U. Wickramasuriya, Members –Sriyani Kulawansa, Major-General Rajitha Ampemohotti (Rtd.), Prof. Arjuna de Silva, Panduka Keerthinanda, Ana Punchihewa, Malik Cader, Dr. S.V.D. Nanayakkara, Hafeez Marso, Sidath Wettimuny, Gen. Jagath Jayasooriya (Rtd.), Anuradha Illeperuma, Prof. Shemal Fernando and Kamal Deshapriya.

The following were appointed as members of the National Sports Selection Committee:

Chairman – General Shavendra Silva, Secretary – Arjun Rishya Fernando, Members – Dr. Maiya Gunasekera, Suresh Subramaniam and Nalinda Sampath Ilangakoon.