Digital Home for Our Sri Lankan Treasures SLIIT Revamped Sri Lanka Olympians Website

More than 75 years after Duncan White OLY crossed the finish line in London to win Sri Lanka’s first Olympic medal, the country’s Olympians now have a platform that celebrates their legacy and connects them with future generations.

The revamped Sri Lanka Olympians website was launched at a special ceremony held at the SLIIT Malabe campus. This website was improved and developed by SLIIT as a CSR initiative marking its 25th Anniversary. Accessible at https://olympians.lk/, the website serves as a dedicated platform to profile every Sri Lankan athlete who has competed in the Olympic Games from 1948 to the present.

To date, 107 Sri Lankan athletes have represented the country at the Olympic Games. Nearly 30 of these athletes have unfortunately passed away. Around 50 Olympians reside in Sri Lanka, while approximately 27 are based overseas. These athletes, who have brought international recognition to Sri Lanka, long deserved a permanent platform to preserve their stories and inspire future generations. This website fulfils that purpose by offering athlete profiles, updates, and details on community outreach.

This journey, however, was not without its challenges. The idea for the platform was first discussed in 2012 and again in 2016 when a group of Sri Lankan Olympians attended several forums and shared the need for a digital presence. Despite initial enthusiasm, the project struggled to take off. It was only after Sri Lanka officially registered with the World Olympians Association (WOA) on July 15, 2017, that the concept gained renewed energy. Through the WOA, every participating athlete receives the honorary post-nominal title OLY, which recognises their role in promoting Olympic values. Sri Lanka became the 148th country to affiliate with the WOA, joining a global community of 158 member nations.

A committed group of athletes, including Sriyani Kulawansha OLY, Julian Bolling OLY, Damayanthi Dharsha OLY, Susanthika Jayasinghe OLY, Dammika Manike OLY, Manjula Kumara OLY, and several others, began meeting regularly to bring the idea to life. They envisioned more than just a directory of names. Their goal was to create a platform that supports Olympians’ welfare, mentors junior athletes, and introduces the values of discipline and dedication to schoolchildren through educational programs and outreach activities.

The website acts as both a digital archive and a community platform. It features motivational programs for schools, athlete engagement initiatives, and even a tree-planting campaign in which each Olympian is honoured with a tree named after them, symbolising both heritage and sustainability.

The proposal to involve SLIIT came from Sriyani Kulawansha OLY, the current President of Sri Lanka Olympians Association. She shared the concept with SLIIT Vice Chancellor Prof. Lalith Gamage after gracing the SLIIT Sports Awards Ceremony.

“When I initially made this request from Prof Gamage, He didn’t hesitate for a moment,” she said. “As a passionate supporter of sport, Prof. Gamage immediately recognised the value of the initiative. After nearly a year of meetings and discussions, SLIIT helped us make this vision a reality. Olympians are a national treasure, and this website ensures that their achievements are remembered and their experience passed on.”

The event was attended by several distinguished guests, including Sugath Thilakarathne OLY (Deputy Minister of Sport), Sriyani Kulawansha OLY (President of the Sri Lanka Olympians Association), Sunil Gunawardhane OLY, Ruwini Abeymanna OLY, Mahesh Perera OLY, K.T.N. Perera OLY, Nimmi De Zoysa OLY, Anuruddha Rathnayake OLY, and Niluka Rajasekara OLY.  SLIIT was represented by its senior leadership and delegates, including Professor Lakshman Rathnayake, Chancellor/Chairman; Professor Lalith Gamage, MD/CEO, and Vice Chancellor; Professor Nimal Rajapakse, Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor and Provost; Mr. Uditha Gamage, Ms. Ranmini Unantenne, Ms. Roshani Madarasinghe, Mr. Thushara Priyanka, Mr. Thimira Perera, Mr. Suresh Rathnayake, and Ms. Dhanushi Siriwardhana.

In addition, several outstanding national athletes joined the ceremony to highlight the sportsmanship and vibrant spirit of SLIIT students. Miss Koshila Amarasinghe (National Athlete and current National Number One in Women’s High Jump), Miss Galina Basnayake (National Athlete and International Medal-winning Para Swimmer), Miss Nethanga Gunaratne (National Athlete and Sri Lanka National Youth Netball Team Player), Mr. Senath Rajapakse (National-level Carrom Player), and Mr. Chehan Weerasinghe (National Chess Player). 

Prof. Lalith Gamage shared his thoughts during the event. He stated, "We're proud to launch the newly revamped Sri Lanka Olympians website. I believe this to be an important step in strengthening the sports sector in Sri Lanka and giving greater visibility to the achievements of our athletes. Having been a sportsman myself, I understand how challenging it can be to balance education and sports. Sri Lanka has amazing talent, but the biggest challenges are the lack of proper resources and economic support to help athletes reach Olympic standards.

At SLIIT, we aim different, we’ve always believed education is about more than just academics. We offer over 22 different sports and encourage all our students to get involved, helping them grow in both skills and character. That’s why our graduates are well-rounded and making a strong impact in the industry."

He further added "If a student shows promise, even from school level, we’re here to support them with scholarships, coaching, and all the guidance they need to reach Olympic standards, just like other top universities in the world. This website revamp is one such CSR initiative. It is the first step towards the greater good of our athletes as well as the country."