• Focuses on unity, transparency, diversity, delivery 

National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) Vice President Shirantha Peries, a respected businessman and sports administrator, officially announced his candidacy for president of the NOCSL on Tuesday (31 March).

Furthermore, he presented a clear and practical mandate to strengthen governance, unify federations, and elevate Sri Lanka’s sporting performance on the global stage.

With over four decades of professional experience, Peries is also the owner of the Mega Pharma Group of Companies, a leading pharmaceutical enterprise with an annual turnover exceeding Rs. 6 billion.

Peries’s career reflects strong operational discipline, financial stewardship, and the ability to build and lead institutions at scale. He holds two MBAs from the UK and the US, further reinforcing his strategic and leadership credentials.

“Leadership, to me, is about building systems that work, not just making promises. It is about creating structures that deliver consistently and fairly,” he said.

Beyond business, Peries has made a lasting impact on Sri Lanka’s sporting ecosystem through both infrastructure development and sports administration.

He has personally invested in developing and upgrading shooting ranges in Nuwara Eliya, Katukurunda, and the Clay Target Shooting Club of Colombo in Payagala, bringing facilities up to international standards and expanding access to the sport.

In 2015, he became the first civilian President of the National Shooting Sport Federation of Sri Lanka (NSSF-SL). Over the course of his tenure till last year, the federation experienced significant growth, with participation increasing from approximately 200 athletes to over 7,500.

Under his stewardship, there was a clear focus on youth development, resulting in athletes under 16 achieving national success and securing medals at Asian-level competitions.

“We proved that when you invest in structure, access, and youth, results will follow. That same approach can be applied across all sports in Sri Lanka,” he added.

Peries also holds several positions within international sporting bodies, including as an executive member of the Asian Shooting Confederation (ASC), and as a board member supporting development initiatives within the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF).

He also serves as Chairman of the Colombo Lotus Tower Management Company (CLTMC), reflecting his ability to seamlessly operate within large scale national projects and liaise closely with Government stakeholders.

Peries’s journey in sport began at the age of 12, when he took up air rifle shooting under the guidance of his father. He later represented Sri Lanka at the SAF shooting games at the turn of the century, winning a team Silver and an individual Bronze medal, giving him first-hand insight into the demands of international competition.

Declaring his candidacy, Peries highlighted that Sri Lankan sport was at a defining moment, requiring stronger systems, greater unity, and transparent governance. His mandate focuses primarily on building an NOC that is united in purpose, transparent in operation, and just in opportunity.

Key priorities included quarterly visibility of decisions, an open book system for funding and sponsorship opportunities, merit-based eligibility frameworks, stronger athlete protection mechanisms, and structured capability development for athletes and coaches.

Peries also proposed the introduction of a formal feedback mechanism at the Sri Lanka Olympic House, improved accountability through defined roles and responsibilities, and closer collaboration with the Sports Ministry and Government.

“Sri Lankan sport does not lack talent. It lacks a system that brings that talent together, supports it consistently, and gives it a fair path to succeed,” he stated. “This is about building an institution that unites, operates with integrity, and delivers results that the entire country could stand behind.”

With a unique combination of experience as a business leader, sports administrator, and national athlete, Peries positions himself as a contestant focused on practical delivery, institutional strength, and long-term impact.