The 82nd Layton Cup Boxing Championship, organised by the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), concluded on Saturday (5) at Browns Beach, Negombo, marking a new milestone in Sri Lanka’s boxing history as the first championship held at a beach venue.
A large crowd of boxing enthusiasts, including dignitaries such as Department of Sports Development Director General Dr. Rear Admiral (Retd.) Shemal Fernando, gathered to witness this epoch-making event.
The BASL selection committee, led by Abdulla Ibunu, were in attendance with BASL selecting a national boxing pool for the first time in eight years, athletes are also competing for a chance to represent Sri Lanka at the ASBC Asian Elite Boxing Championships in Jordan this November.
The finals, featuring 21 bouts across all men’s and women’s weight classes, were fiercely contested, with standout performances from both veteran and emerging athletes.
The tournament’s best boxers were selected by international technical officials headed by the technical delegate of the event Capt. R.K. Indrasena (Retd.).
Police’s Hasitha Jinadasa, a four-time Stubbs Shield champion and a Dharmaraja College alumnus, earned the prestigious Layton Cup, awarded to the Best Boxer since 1942, after a hard-fought win in the minimum weight (48kg) category.
Known for his defensive prowess, Jinadasa edged out Daniel Tissaaratchy of Back2Fit in a closely contested bout, using counter punches to secure a split-decision victory.
Jinadasa also received a gift voucher worth Rs. 50,000 from Arpico and a return ticket to Singapore from SriLankan Airlines – the national carrier.
In the Flyweight (51kg) category, Police’s Umayanga Mihiran delivered a masterclass performance, knocking out last year’s Layton Cup winner, Navy’s Gayan Bandara.
The 21-year-old Mihiran showcased his speed and precision, ultimately forcing a stoppage in the second round after Bandara was deemed unable to continue.
Among the women, Air Force’s Ishara Perera earned the title of Best Boxer with her tactical superiority and skill, which helped her easily outpoint Army’s Dilani Silva.
Perera, used her reach advantage effectively, showcasing her technical acumen. She was awarded a gift voucher worth Rs. 50,000 from Arpico for her stellar performance.
The finals also saw impressive displays from Yazmin Usaith in the Middleweight (75kg) category, who triumphed over Army’s K.G. Pathmasiri.
Meanwhile, Army’s Sanduni Priyadarshani secured the Flyweight (52kg) title, showcasing her dominance against Police’s Maleesha Widanagamage.
Vidyarathana SC’s Keshani Hansika (57kg) and Air Force’s Sajeewani Cooray (60kg) also stood out with commanding performances, signalling a bright future for Sri Lankan boxing.
List of winners:
Men
48kg: T. Hasitha Nuwan Jinadasa (Police)
51kg: G.K.P. Umayanga Mihiran (Police)
54kg: G. Jayanath K. Ravindu Kumara (Vidyarathana SC)
57kg: P.A. Rukmal Prasanna (Army)
60kg: R.M.P.P.K. Rasnayaka (Army)
63.5kg: H.A. Hansa Dilsara Hettiarachchi (Navy Bismark)
67kg: P.S.P. Suranga Fernando (Army)
71kg: I.P.D. Chinthana Udayakumara (Air Force)
75kg: Yazmin Mohamed Usaith (St Sylvester's Boxing Club)
80kg: J.M.I.P. Pathum Pushpakumara (Army Red)
86kg: Y.S. Prathap Sudamma (Army)
92kg: P.A. Rukman Sanjeewa Rupasingha (Army)
+92kg: U. Amitha Avishka (Army)
Women
48kg: R.A. Nadeeka Pushpakumari (Vidyarathana SC)
50kg: K.K. Ishara Thushari Perera (Air Force)
52kg: H. Sanduni Priyadarshani (Army)
54kg: L.I. Nishadi Malshani (Air Force)
57kg: K.A. Keshani Hansika (Army)
60kg: M.P.S. Sajeewani Cooray (Air Force)
66kg: W.W.A.K. Thiwanka (Air Force)
75kg: K.A.G.N. Kaluarachchi (Air Force)
Best Boxer awards
Men (Layton Cup) - T. Hasitha Nuwan Jinadasa (Police)
Women - K.K. Ishara Thushari Perera (Air Force)