The Annual General Meeting (AGM) and election of the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) for 2026 were successfully held on May 29, 2026, at the main auditorium of the National Institute of Sports Science. The event was attended by 21 leading boxing clubs with voting rights, along with several affiliated clubs from across the country.
In accordance with the Sports Act No. 25 of 1973, all national sports associations are required to conduct elections every two years. The BASL AGM and election were convened in compliance with the National Sports Act and the association’s constitution, under the supervision of a duly appointed Election Committee, the Ministry of Sports, and the Department of Sports Development.
However, the proceedings were disrupted shortly after commencement when former BASL President Dian Gomes objected to the legitimacy of the meeting. He argued that the AGM was unlawful and demanded that both the meeting and election be postponed.
Gomes maintained that holding the AGM without presenting an Auditor General-certified audit report for 2025 was contrary to regulations. According to him, the meeting should not proceed until the audited financial statements had been formally submitted to the membership.
Responding to these objections, BASL President Dr. Anuruddha Shanaka Bandara informed the assembly that the association’s annual financial statements had already been submitted to the audit authorities. He further stated that official correspondence from the audit authorities confirming receipt of the accounts had been circulated among member clubs.
In addition, documents issued by the National Audit Office were presented to the assembly, confirming that the audit process was ongoing and that this did not constitute a barrier to conducting the AGM and election. Dr. Bandara also referred to Clauses 11.4 and 11.5 of Gazette Extraordinary No. 2437/24, issued on May 21, 2025, which he said clearly permitted the continuation of association activities, including AGMs and elections, while audits were still under review.
Despite these explanations and the presentation of official documentation, Gomes reportedly rejected the applicability of the gazette provisions and continued to insist that the AGM be postponed until the audited accounts were finalized and formally presented.
Observers noted that his repeated interventions created significant disruptions during the proceedings and appeared aimed at preventing the meeting and election from moving forward. Nevertheless, after reviewing the official correspondence from the National Audit Office and the relevant government gazette notifications, the assembly unanimously agreed to proceed with the AGM and election.
The election was subsequently conducted under the supervision of the authorized Election Committee, the Ministry of Sports, and the Department of Sports Development. Dr. Anuruddha Shanaka Bandara was re-elected unopposed as President of the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka for the next two-year term.
Other officials elected unopposed included:
Major General Janaka Pallekumbura – Vice President
Commander Udeweera Kumaranatunga – Vice President
Commodore Arjuna Lanka Perera – Secretary General
Major General Kasun Adhikari – Assistant Secretary
Saminda Ranasinghe – Assistant Treasurer
The developments highlight an ongoing power struggle within Sri Lankan boxing. Having been one of the most influential figures in the sport for more than two decades, Dian Gomes remains a prominent voice in boxing administration. Critics, however, argue that his continued opposition to the current administration reflects difficulty in accepting the changing leadership landscape within the sport.
Supporters of the present administration point to the progress achieved over the past two years and contend that Sri Lankan boxing has demonstrated its ability to move forward under new leadership. They argue that the focus should now be on strengthening the sport rather than prolonging administrative disputes.
Another point raised by supporters of the current administration is that Gomes does not hold voting rights within the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka. Under association regulations, voting eligibility requires clubs to field a minimum number of boxers in recognized competitions over a specified period. Critics note that his club has not met those requirements in recent years and therefore remains an affiliated club without voting privileges.
Many within the boxing community believe that the future growth of Sri Lankan boxing will depend on unity, institutional stability, and constructive collaboration among past and present administrators. As a former leader who contributed significantly to the sport, they argue that Gomes can continue to play a valuable role by offering guidance and support rather than engaging in confrontational disputes.
With a new executive committee now in place and a fresh mandate secured, the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka faces the challenge of building on recent progress and ensuring that the sport continues its development both nationally and internationally.
