• Aggrieved parties to go before the Appeal Advisory Board 

A three-cornered tussle has emerged between the mother-daughter duo of Wajira Nettikumara, Ruskshi Sarah Nettikumara and Desika Vitharana, for the post of President at the election of office bearers for the Netball Federation of Sri Lanka for the term 2025-27.

The Election Committee (EC) headed by ex-Colombo High Court Judge Iranganee Perera and formed to oversee the yet to be finalised election of the sport’s local governing body, released the list of nominations on Monday (10), having considered the objections received in this regard.

As per the released list Wajira Nettikumara representing the Kalutara District Netball Association is slated to go against her offspring Rukshi Sarah Nettikumara, whose name has been proposed and seconded by the Kandy District Netball Association.

They are set to be confronted by Desika Vitharana of the State Services Netball Association but, informed sources revealed that either on the day of the election or in the run up to it, Rukshi Sarah would presumably withdraw paving the way for her mother to contest Vitharana for the top post.

When contacted Wajira Nettikumara stated that the EC is set to officially confirm the date for the netball election on Friday (14).

Asked how it would feel to contest her own daughter for the sport’s most coveted post, Nettikumara stated that her daughter’s name had also been submitted on merit by the Kandy District Netball Association.

However, she doubted whether Rukshi Sarah would have sufficient time on her hands to devote to the sport due to her pressing business commitments both here and overseas, but expressed optimism that she could nonetheless contribute to netball moving forward.   

The released list of nominations sees Shiromi Kuruppu of the Ratnapura District Netball Association going up against Damayanthi Jayathilaka of the Gampaha District Netball Association for the post of Secretary.

A four-pronged battle has emerged for the post of Vice President between K.M.P. Kumarihami, Kumuduni Gomes, Yamuna Gunasekara and Tamara Paragodaliyanage.

Meanwhile, B. Sumithra and Sakuntala Perera have been elected uncontested for the twin posts of Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer, following the rejection of the nominations submitted by Nishantha Nalin Karunaratna and Thilini Obeysekara, respectively.

Furthermore a few of the aggrieved parties whose nominations were dismissed by the Election Committee, are shortly expected to submit their grievances in writing to the Appeal Advisory Board at the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

As per the new regulations incorporated to the Sports Law by the subject Minister a few months ago, all aggrieved parties over rejection of nominations, could submit their grievances to the said Board within a period of three working days and upon payment of a sum.

Among those who are likely to hand over such appeals are Anomi Gunasekara who had submitted her nomination for the post of President and Champa Gunawardena, who had done likewise for the post of Vice President, with both representing the Kalutara District Netball Association.