Ranjani Jayakody to head Sri Lanka Netball

By Susil Premalal

The Chief Secretary of the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council Ranjani Jayakody was elected as the new President of the Sri Lanka Netball Federation (SLNF) at their Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Duncan White Auditorium in Colombo yesterday.

Assistant Director of the Sports Development Department Sheela de Saram confirmed that Jayakody had won the SLNF elections with a total of 16 votes.  

There were five other candidates including Gampaha District MP Kokila Gunawardene, who were vying for the top post at the SLNF AGM.

Gunawardene, of course, withdrew from the AGM alleging that the elections were illegal but there were no objections to halt the event.

Jayakody is a past student of St. Joseph’s BMV, Gampola and has a huge amount of experience in the Sri Lankan Administration sector.

Jayakody represented the Matale District at the SLNF AGM.     

Meanwhile, veteran Mercantile NA netball player and former President of the Mercantile Netball Association Kumuduni Gomes was elected as the new Secretary.

The election for the post of Vice-President was not held according to the Constitution but a representative from the Sri Lanka Schools Netball Association will be appointed for this post later.

The new office-bearers:

President: Ranjani Jayakody (Matale), Secretary: Kumuduni Gomes (Western), Assistant Secretary: Wahishan Akhitha (Jaffna), Treasurer: Sanjeewani Wanasinghe (Mercantile), Assistant Treasurer: B. D. Sumithra (Nationalised Services).