Lasitha “Bonsa” SLR President nominee from WPRF

Present Vice President of Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) Lasitha Gunaratne was nominated by the Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU) as its candidate for the Sri Lanka Rugby President’s post which will be decided later this month.

Lasitha Gunaratne overtook Asanga Seneviratne during the WPRFU Annual General Meeting with only Police SC, Gampaha SC and the two universities voting for the current President Asanga Seneviratne. However, Gunaratne was able to win with 16 votes from CR&FC, CH&FC, Army Sports Club, Air Force Sports Club, and Navy Sports Club.

Havelock Sports Club abstained from voting for any of the two candidates.

President of SLR Asanga Seneviratne was appointed as the President in 2012 and for the last six years in tandem. WPRFU got the most votes which will be the deciding factor with the Central Province Rugby Football Union (CPRFU) favoured to follow WPRFU in the coming weeks as well.

Ray Abeywardena (Treasurer) and former CH fullback Dinuk Wijerathne (Secretary) are the rest of the office bearers but according to a reliable source Jayasekara had withdrawn his name.

Lasitha has nominated the following for his office bearers – Rizly Illyas (Deputy President), Nazim Mohamed (Vice President), Ray Abeywardena (Treasurer), and Thusitha Peiris (Secretary).

Ray Abeywardena looks a doubtful starter as he was originally nominated as the Treasurer by current SLR President Asanga Seneviratne. (SJ)