Views: 45
FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGSTO B COM GRADUATE,CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT,JOURNLIST TO MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS-by Sunil Thenabadu
Sunil Kumara Gamage a B Com graduate of the Sri Jayewardenepura university cum a Chartered accountant is a Sri Lankan politician currently serving as the Minister Youth Affairs and Sports. He was appointed as a Member of the tenth Parliament of Sri Lanka from the National List in year 2024 in the Sri Lankan parliamentary election as a staunch member of the National People’s Power. He was made the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs in November 2024, heading the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs in the Cabinet of Sri Lanka.
Sunil Kumara Gamage had been involved with the activities of the NPP while holding numerous prestigious positions as a Chartered Accountant with the sole intention of changing the present system existed for over seven decades which was the prime intention and priority of all followers of the NPP.He as others were confident and self-assured that this revolution could be achieved as such he had left this position as Deputy General Manager (revenue) NWSDB in March 2024 to be vigorously intricated in the ‘Aragalaya’ campaign. of establishing a NPP government. During his post university era having worked in many private and public institutions a Chartered accountant many had known about his competence, ability and skill in numerous arenas
To be the minister of youth and sports minister he says needs not be an exclusive person excelled in sports as it is predominantly a managerial position hence with his enormous previous involvements this position suited him ideally, at the same time as a person who possess an interest is numerous sports activities.
Sunil Kumara Gamage hails from a n ordinary humble family in Karapitiya Galle having apart from parental duo an elder sister ,had attended Olcott Maha Vidyalaya Galle at which he was only interested in participating in playing softball cricket as then there was no hard ball cricket in his school.Though he was interested in sports as his intention was sports playing football not studies. In Galle his Olcott Maha Vidyalaya was held in high esteem among schools in Galle, having held the position as sports captain in school. In years 1988 and 1989 he was somewhat interested in politics as many students of his age. Though he and his school mates have had to meet inconveniences they were able to safely navigate over the obstacles faced in following politics.
In this scenario too sports minister has had sports blood in his system having had immense familiarity to hold this position as the minister of youth affairs and sports . Minister had even listened to ball by ball commentaries of test matches prior to the television era.has had cricket in his blood..Cricket to many is like a religion so it was to the Minister himself However he had been successful in gaining entrance having studied Commerce in school to the Sri Jayewardenepura University in his first shy. In the university too the Minister had continued his passion for sports having participated in many sports also at all institutions he had worked until lately.Although not a sportsman at nationwide level the minister was and still involved in sports activities having sports blood scattered within him.After completion his degree as a B com graduate in year 1994 he had found employment with his wife who was in the same batch as money was needed for existence. It is learnt that his wife too had assisted him in his political activities even while been together the duo in the Sri Jayewardenepura university.
Unfortunately wife had expired after a ten year battle with cancer in year 2021 having initially left her profession to look after the two children elder daughter having entered the medical faculty is now serving an intern doctor at the Ragama Hospital while the younger son is an undergraduate in the Katubedda University undergoing an engineering course. In the absence of his wife despite his busy schedule as a Minister he shoulders the responsibilities to look into the activities of the children.It was revealed also at a television dialogue that even himself and bereaved wife had never in their wildest dreams thought of his this position in parliament and as the minister of youth affairs and sports It was revealed by the Minister that though he was involved in the activities of the NPP had never thought of seeking election by participating in any poll.Though he was told to accept nomination from NPP from Puttalan district he had point blank refused the proposal. This was ample testimony of his desire to stay outside and to help NPP to gain power in the proposed system change endeavour. Thereafter only his name was included to the limited number in the National list.After the sweeping victory winning 159 seats he had never thought he would be nominated to the minister portfolio from the 26 member national list.Though he has had no belief he would be elected to this prestigious post he vouched for the fact that he rendered adequate work for the NPP in the run up to the elections to triumph in the general election
It was on the day when the ministers were named he knew he was to be bestowed with this prestigious post of Minister of youth affairs and sports.On this day brother Nalinda had called him to come well dressed in tie and coat. At that time he had thought that having worked in the presidential secretariat as a coordinating secretary under the President was the reason to request him to come well dressed .
Simultaneously while continuing his political work after his graduation he had joined a firm of Chartered Accountants with a view to become a chartered accountant, challenging it, to achieve it” ,to be in charge of all financial documentation that needs to be legally disclosed. Behind every successful business is a team of Chartered Accountants who devise financial systems, checking accounting procedures, and certify legal compliance. It was mentioned in a television dialogue that he continued to be working with the NPP while in the university and thereafter.
After becoming a fully qualified Chartered Accountant he had worked in many private and government institutions until March 2024.In his capacity of a Chartered accountant he had worked in the private sector for some years then then in a NWSDB in a project for four years, then in Ministry of Health/ WHO project for two years, at the Port Authority as senior financial officer for three years then for over a decade had resigned from the NWSDB as the Deputy General Manager ( Revenue) in March 2024 in order to canvass for the election campaign of President and the General Election of NPP lending his influence in order to change the present system that existed for over seven decades having worked with communities and on stages all over Sri Lanka campaigning for the party He had stressed that it was thought not ethical and appropriate to speak on stages and campaigning while attached as a government servant.
At a television dialogue the Minister stressed that both his children have had no objection as the duo too was involved in this campaign following the footsteps of the father and the majority of the masses, for the anticipated change
The Minister of youth affairs and sports is a simple down to earth individual who now lives in his residence in Kottawa does not enjoy the benefit of an official bungalow in Madiwela who travels in his own vehicle to and from the ministry and parliament. He believes in the existing era should show change as all other members of NPP that a the society need to be changed and a journey that begun not to accumulate wealth was his as the wish of all NPP members of parliament.
At a television confrontation it was revealed by the Minister that his vehicle bought with his money was a 15 Sri Nissan Sunny in year 2002 Gradually he had at intervals upgraded having bought newer cars up to year 2018. Presently he owns a ‘Vicks’ and a ‘Race’ a 2010 model which is seventeen years old which the Minister says good in the consumption of fuel.The former car is driven by his children while the ‘Race’ is used by him.The true story is unlike the former Ministers the present Minister of youth affairs and sport is not using the V’8’ vehicles as the counterparts of the previous governments at which the fuel consumption is very low.The earlier V’8’ vehicle in the ministry had been sold at the auction.
Also at a television dialogue the Minister added he had worked as a journalist from year 2010 continuously for eight years to ‘Lanka’ newspaper on politics. Having had the aptitude to write having his skill showed in the university days too.He said he had boldly criticized Mahinda and Gotabhaya Rajapaksa at a time when even a crow was unable to fly over them.He believes he is the only Chartered Accountant who could also impress as a competent journalist.
When the post of Minister of Youth Affairs and sports was awarded to Sunil Kumara Gamage there was speculating in many quarters as to whether he could burden this huge responsibility. As it was a wide spectrum subject with so many sports clubs scattered in the island. When the NPP government was elected to power there was a huge criticism about cricket as to how SLC managed to handle as our cricket had fallen to a receding low level beginning from year 2014. The government led with the Minister was under the view to discuss negotiating to bring about a change particularly prior to the T 20 WC expecting to view an improvement in our performances.
The authorities of the SLC had understood that there were some important criteria that needed to be changed with some shortcomings within themselves. The SLC transformation committee was ultimately made when the President Anura Kumara Dissanayake too intervened when the President Shammi Silva decided to dissolve the SLC As the SLC themselves dissolved there was no blame from the ICC to the government. The ICC donates a huge amount of money to SLC which in turn they expect progress which was not revealed by our recent performances. Minister also had disclosed some issues for the downfall as the team composition, seniors disliked new players coming in, also the feeling of them playing for the country which was observed when they returned to the pavilion having failed to make a formidable score which to most of them was not a concern in failing to contribute. Though the fans and spectators were concerned to the batsman himself was not a concern or an apprehension. The Minister is of the opinion that we do not lack excellent or talented cricketers. By the performances of the cricketers were studied it is felt that we lack cricketers who play with confidence to bring laurels for the country .
When the Minister was questioned about the Chairman of the transformation committee Eran Wickremaratne it was said knowing who Eran is was an obvious choice with so many credentials possessed been a cricketer himself having enormous administrative with enormous managerial abilities having even a formed a successful development bank.Minister also said ones religion or race is immaterial to be to head a sports body or otherwise.It was revealed that a new constitution for SLC is been prepared which will be released for the critics to comment ,thereafter a new election will be held to appoint new office bearers. The whole process would take a few months.
In addition to cricket the Minister focusses on other sports and participants too. After the minister was appointed from December 2024 a search had been made to identify the budding talent in all sports.Those in foreign countries have been identified ,arrangements are made for many to represent Sri Lanka for the Olympics in year 2028 as the program ‘Mission Olympics’2028 ‘. Of course not forgetting the talent we already possess. In athletics there is a young find Javelin thrower Rumesh Tharanga who at twenty two years is among the top five in world rankings who had high hopes to win a medal for Sri Lanka in a near future Olympic games.Rumesh had been awarded a monthly allowance of Rupees two lakhs ten thousand for meals and maintenance, also his trainer is paid rupees one lakh per month which no trainer had been paid a salary in the past by previous sports ministries. In consultation with SLC Rumesh Tharanga was awarded rupees ten million to purchase a vehicle for his travelling conveniences. In addition when he participates in overseas countries all travelling expenses visas etc are borne by the sports ministry.There are more domiciled overseas who could represent Sri Lanka as Tiana Sumanasekera.The Sri Lankan gymnast in the USA
The minister did disclose at a television dialogue that he has received several requests from many athletes overseas expressing their willingness to participate in future Asian, Commonwealth and the Olympic games which is heartening news indeed..Two female Sri Lankan footballers in Australia too had spoken to the minister over the phone.Two gymnastic champion national athletes overseas too had contacted the Minister expressing willingness. Minister assured that these athletes will not be hired for money also will not replace the present talented athletes.
Very recently the Minister commenced on a new hot water swimming pool project in Bandarawela which is foreign to Sri Lanka with only two other such hot water pools are in hotels only.The first hot water swimming pool was made in Mannar also during the tenure of the Minister also his concept is ideal to a city like Bandarawela which do not possess a swimming pool also as it is a fairly a cold climate in which the water could be heated to required temperatures. This facility will be made available to the public too soon.This concept is to prove the public that using technology this facility could be made available.
In addition to cricket the Minister focusses on other sports and participants too. After the minister was appointed from December 2024 a search had been made to identify the budding talent in all sports.Those in foreign countries have been identified ,arrangements are made for many to represent Sri Lanka for the Olympics in year 2028 as the program ‘Mission Olympics’2028 ‘. Of course not forgetting the talent we already possess. In Athletics there is a young find a Javelin thrower Rumesh Tharanga who at twenty two years is among the top five in world rankings who had high hopes to win a medal for Sri Lanka in a near future Olympic games.Rumesh had been awarded a monthly allowance of Rupees two lakhs ten thousand for meals and maintenance, also his trainer is paid rupees one lakh per month which no trainer had been paid a salary in the past by previous sports ministries. In consultation with SLC Rumesh Tharanga was awarded rupees ten million to purchase a vehicle for his travelling conveniences. In addition when he participates in overseas countries all travelling expenses visas etc are borne by the sports ministry.There are more domiciled overseas who could represent Sri Lanka as Tiana Sumanasekera.The Sri Lankan gymnast in the USA
The Minister is actively involved with all other sports activities as well had added at a television dialogue that unlike earlier he has no leisure to even read a book as earlier as he works daily until around 11 pm.These days he is busy with the renovations undergoing in the main hall of the NYSC which has been in a decapitated state since he took over the ministry, calling for tenders and other activities. The minister in addition to his workload devote time for musical concerts showing films at venues like the NYSC assisted by the junior minister stationed at the NYSC.
In the context of the foregoing the Minister of Youth affairs and sports Sunil Kumara Gamage is on a firm footing since his appointment in November 2024 is confident of improving our youth affairs and sports to unprecedented tall elevations during his tenure.
Sunil Thenabadu in Brisbane email sthenabadu@hotmail.com WhatsApp 0061444533242
