Book launch and facilitation ceremony of volleyball history in SL

Showcasing the history of volleyball A 300 paged book titled ‘Volleyball Eda sita Ada’ (Volleyball then and now) was launched recently at the Galle Face Hotel.

The book was a long felt need for the development of volleyball, our National sport, and covers all activities and aspects of volleyball in Sri Lanka, from the year 1895 to 2011.

The book was presented by the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation and edited by Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation General Secretary Susil Ranasinghe.

The book discusses comprehensively how the game was evolved and all the aspects of volleyball in both local and international perspectives. Relevant statistics and data have been presented with over 75 photographs to lure the reader.

Moreover, the Volleyball Federation’s relationship with the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) , African Confederation of Volleyball (CAVB), South American Volleyball Confederation(CSV), European Volleyball Confederation (CEV), North Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA), Federation International de Volleyball (FIVB) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is also discussed in detail.

This book is a must for the volleyball fraternity and a memento for the sports lover and those who maintain libraries.  Some 122 Veteran National Volleyball players were also felicitated at the launch for their contribution made from the year 1951 to 1991.  The other players included are all past captains of the Sri Lanka National Volleyball Team namely, L.A.D Premarathne (1955), George Fernando (1970), L.P. Perera (1973-19740), Nanda Ganegoda (1970-1973), Sopphire Dharmasena (1973), Yasa Ramachandra (1973), Wijesiri Amarasinghe (1981), J. Siriwardena (1981), Jayantha Perera (1973) Ranthilaka Jayaweera (1982-1990), Madhuka Kiriella (1981), J. Siriwardena (1982), Jayasiri Perera (1984), Ananda Wanthilaka (1985-1989), Kalika Wasanthapriya (1993-2006) and Renuka Abeygunawardena Yapa (1990-1991).

The ceremony was accompanied by Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Minister and Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation President Dilan Perera and National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka President Hemasiri Fernando were also present.  Other participants who graced the launch ceremony were the past presidents and secretaries of the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation Charitha Rathwatta, Thilak Iddamalgoda, Asoka Wadigamangawa, Ronnie De Mel and Dr. Sunil Jayantha Nawarathna.