Layton Cup stars lead the way as BASL form national boxing pool

The Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has formed a national pool for the first time in eight years based on the performances of pugilists at the 82nd Layton Cup Boxing Championship.

Fulfilling one of the election pledges of BASL President Anuruddha Shanaka Bandara who took office in May 2024, the national seluection committee headed by Abdulla Ibunu have selected a 43-member national pool, comprising 30 men and 13 women pugilists.

The oldest member of the national boxing pool is 37-year-old Gayan Indika Bandara of Navy, an international medallist, who was runner up in the Light Fly weight (51kg) to Sri Lanka’s leading pugilist Police’s Umayanga Mihiran.

The youngest member of the national boxing pool is former Sri Sumangala College, Kandy and St. Sylvester’s College, Kandy boxer 19-year-old Yazmin Usaith who won the Middle weight (75kg) title at the Layton Cup finals held in Negombo beach.

The majority of the 43-member pool comprises Army pugilists.

Among the women poolists, there is no place for veteran Air Force and Sri Lanka pugilist Sajeewani Coorey, 33, unbeaten multiple national champion and a quarter-finalist at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. Also missing out were two other Air Force pugilists W.W.A.K. Thiwanka (66kg) and K.A.G.N. Kaluarachchi (75kg), an international medallist, who received walk overs and hence unable to impress the national selectors.

The national selection committee comprising Susantha Weerasena, Khan Weerasinghe, Nuwan Sumeda and W.S.P. Fernando as members, have given priority in selection for technical ability, experience to fight internationally, age, style and ranking for further development.

Following is the national boxing pool:

MEN

48kg:T.H.N. Jinadasa (Police), D.H. Tissaaractchy (Back2Fit), H.M.L.P. Jayawardena (Army)

51kg:G.P.U. Mihiran (Police), A.M.G.I. Bandara (Navy), K.A.S.K. Abeygunawardena (Army)

54kg:G.J.K.R. Kumara (Vidyarathana SC), P.G.E. Madushan (Air Force), R.M.P. Dharmasena (Army)

57kg:P.A.R. Prasanna (Army), K.H. Navodya (Navy)

60kg:R.M.P.K.K. Rasnayake (Army), W.M.M. Bandara (Army)

63.5kg:H.A.H.D. Hettiarachchi (Navy), S.M.C.S. Samarakoon (Navy)

67kg:P.S.P.S. Fernando (Army), E.G.M.M. Jayaweera (Army), A.M.T.S. Adikari (Navy)

71kg:I.P.D.C. Udayakumara (Air Force), P.M.L.L. Chandrabandara (Army)

75kg:Y.M. Usaith (St. Sylvester’s BC), K.G. Pathmasiri (Army)

80kg:J.M.I.P.P. Kumara (Army), H..W.G.P. Rathnasiri (Police)

86kg:Y.S.P. Sudamma (Army), G.W.C. de Silva (Air Force)

92kg:P.A.R.S. Rupasinghe (Army), K.M.C.K. Karunanayake (Navy)

+92kg:U.A. Avishka (Army), M.W.M.M. Meegasthenna (Air Force)

WOMEN

48kg:R.A.N. Pushpakumari (Vidyarathana SC), H.K.N.N. Perera (Army)

50kg:K.K.I.T. Perera (Air Force), S.D.D. Silva (Army)

52kg:H.S. Priyadarshani (Army), P.M. Vidanagamage (Police)

54kg:L.I.N. Malshani (Air Force), S.H.Y.R. Fernando (Veyangoda BC)

57kg:K.A.K. Hansika (Vidyarathana SC), P.H.I. Wirajani (Army)

60kg:M.P.S.S. Cooray (Air Force), M.G.M.T. Dasunika (Army), A.K.G.H. Gamage (Vidyarathana SC)