Sri Lanka, the pearl of the Indian Ocean is indeed one of the famous tourist attractions in the world. However, the natural marvels and the wonderful things to do on this island are not the sole reasons behind the popularity of Sri Lanka. Sports have also taken this country to the next level. Undoubtedly, cricket is the most popular sport of this country. Still, volleyball, the national sport of Sri Lanka also holds a special place in the country’s sports industry. Therefore, we thought of focusing this read on volleyball, to share with you its history, evolution, and the future within this country. Continue reading!
Who Introduced Volleyball to Sri Lanka?
Voltor Camek brought this amazing game to Sri Lanka. That was in 1916. Therefore, the history of volleyball in Sri Lanka runs a century back.
However, the United States of America is considered the birthplace of this game. Meanwhile, one of the sports directors of the Association of American Young Men Christians of Holyoke, William Mogen, receives the honor of introducing this game to the world. He introduced this game to the world in 1895. So, Sri Lankan has been lucky enough to get this game, after a few decades of its introduction to the world.
The Sri Lankan Volleyball History
Of course, Volleyball became a popular sport in Sri Lanka very quickly after its introduction. Therefore, Sri Lankans formed a number of volleyball clubs in the country and Sri Lankans practised the sport. As a result, the game became popular day by day. Then emerged the need for an official body to govern the game in Sri Lanka. So, in September 1951, Sri Lankans formed the Federation of Sri Lanka Volleyball and gained official recognition.
The first President of this Federation was Sir Richard Aluvihara while Mr Rajadurai and Mr T C Anandappa became the first secretary. From then to now, 16 presidents and 21 secretaries were lucky to be seated as the executives of the Federation of Sri Lanka Volleyball.
However, the periods of 1983 – 1986 and 2005 – 2015 were the significant eras of volleyball in Sri Lanka. During that time, a huge improvement took place with regard to this sport in the country. Charita Rathwatta and Dilan Perera functioned as the presidents of the Federation of Sri Lanka Volleyball during these two periods respectively. Indeed, these two people worked hard to bring this game towards recognition from the village level to the international level.
In 1987, the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation received a permanent office. Further, in 1991 Sri Lanka won the first international gold medal at the 5th South Asian Games held in Colombo, 1991. Renuka Abeygunawardena Yapa captained this victorious volleyball team. During this era, the volleyball game received the highest respect of all other eras. As a result, volleyball was declared the national game of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan Volleyball Players
Starting with T D L Charles, 27 spikers were appointed as the captains of the Sri Lanka national men’s volleyball team. In the same way, starting with Grace Gajasinghe, 15 females became the captains of the Sri Lankan women’s national volleyball team. The following table shows men and women Sri Lankan volleyball captains who guided Sri Lankan teams towards victory.
| Year | Victorious Tournament | Captain |
| 1973 | Kerala – Sri Lanka Test Series | L P Perera |
| 1985 | Pakistan Gold Cup Tournament and 1989 IV SAF Games – Pakistan | Ananda Wannitilake |
| 1991 | Pakistan Gold Cup Tournament | W L Piyarathna |
| 1993 | Bangladesh and 2006 SAF Games – Colombo | Kalika Wasanthapriya |
| 2003 | II Asian School – Hong Kong | Damith Ranga Fernando |
| 2010 | SAF Games – Pakistan, | Sameera Dissanayake |
| 2013 | South Asian Invitation Tournament – Nepal | Sameera Dissanayake |
| 2016 | SAF Games – India | Janith Surath |
| 1970 | India Test Series | Nandha Ganegoda |
| 1991 | SAF Games | Renuka Abegunawardena Yapa |
| 1993 | SAF Games | Rohini Chandrika |
| 1995 | SAF Games | Sandaya Sandareka Perera |
| 1999 and 2006 | SAF Games | Nayana Anupama Jayaratne |
| 1998 | Central Asian Women’s Championship | Udeni Priyadarshani |
| 2016 | SAF Game | Dinesha Prasadhini |
In addition to all the above victories, W L Siriwardena became the best spiker in South Asia in 1959. This was at Mohamed Ali Jinnah Gold Cup held in Karachi, Pakistan.
Moreover, in 1998, L C Ekanayake became the best player in Asian Volleyball Club Championship. Similarly, Kasun Chaturanga was able to become the best setter in Asia. That was during the Asian Schools Games held in Hong Kong in 2003.
Further, in the First Central Asian Championship that took place in 2006, Lasantha Aberatne became the Best Libero. Lalith Premalal and Geethika Gunawardena’s names are written in history as the first Sri Lankan Men Libero and Women Libero to secure the Libero rank in Volleyball (1999).
Who is the Best Sri Lankan Volleyball Player?
W L Siriwardhana is considered the best Volleyball player in Sri Lanka. He was the captain of the Sri Lankan National volleyball team for 12 years from the 1960s to the 1970s.
W L Siriwardhana was born in 1938 in Gampaha. He studied at Bandarawatta Junior School as well as in Bandarawatta Parakrama Maha Vidyalaya. His brother was also a captain of the Sri Lanka volleyball national team. However, he learned all the basics of Volleyball from his school. Thereafter, he played for volleyball clubs.
Siriwardhana won the best player’s award at the South East Asian volleyball tournament held in Karachi, Pakistan in 1959. In addition, he won president Ayub Khan’s gold medal for the best dasher in Asia. Later, he became a coach, referee, and a fine administrator after his retirement from the grounds.
Volleyball Coaches and Referees
In Sri Lanka, there are 132 coaches qualified with Level I of the International Volleyball Coaches Course, 62 coaches with Level II as well as 08 coaches qualified with Level III at present. In addition, there are about 4000 school and sports club volleyball coaches serving in the country.
Charles Thilakarathna serves as the coach of the national volleyball men’s team in Sri Lanka while Roberto Sethore of Cuban national serves as the coach of the women’s team. Furthermore, Paranagama and Wijesiri Perera are the two key personalities who render their immense service as the most senior referees in Sri Lanka.
Volleyball Tournaments in Sri Lanka
In 1951, the first national men’s volleyball tournament took place in the country. The Central Sports Club – Gampaha could secure the trophy.
In the same way, the first championship of the national women’s volleyball tournament took place in 1957. At this tournament, St John Bosco College in Hanwella became the winner.
Moreover, the Chidambaram Central College of Welwetithurai won the trophy at the first school volleyball tournament held in the country.
However, being the national game of Sri Lanka, a large number of volleyball tournaments take place in Sri Lanka annually. Some of them are as follows.
- State Services Volleyball Tournament
- Defence Services Volleyball Tournament
- Nationalised Services Volleyball Tournament
- Mercantile Volleyball Tournament
- Gam Udawa Volleyball Tournament
- Youth Services – Rupavahini Volleyball Tournament
- Mahaweli Volleyball Tournament
- Xyngular Volleyball Tournament
- Cup Winners Cup Volleyball Tournament
- President’s Golden Cup Volleyball Tournament
- Yowunpura Volleyball Tournament
- DSI School Volleyball Tournament
- National School Volleyball Tournament
Sri Lankan Beach Volleyball
In 1992, beach volleyball began in the country with the first national beach volleyball tournament. However, this was only for men. The Sri Lanka Port Authority could win the trophy of this tournament.
Further, the first women’s beach volleyball tournament took place in the country in 2000. During this game, the Sri Lanka Air Force showed flying colours and they could win the trophy.
Later, in 2003, Sri Lanka was lucky enough to participate in the Asian Beach Volleyball Tournament for the first time. This tournament was held in Thailand. A few years later, in 2009, Wasantha Rathnapala and Mahesh Perera were able to bring the first-ever international medal for beach volleyball in Sri Lanka. This was at the Asia-Pacific Beach Volleyball Tournament held in Bangladesh.
Dhammika Silva and Prasanna Udaya Kumara are the coaches who contributed a lot and led beach volleyball to its success.
Sri Lankan School Volleyball
Schools are considered as the birthplace of Sri Lanka volleyball. However, All Island School Volleyballs and the National School Games competitions introduced by Dr. H. S. R. Gunawardena in 1951 and Sunil Jayaweera in 1984 made a rapid interest in the game among school children in Sri Lanka.
In the same way, the DSI School Volleyball Tournament started in 1998 mainly fulfilled the need of both sportsmen and sportswomen for the junior and youth volleyball teams of the country. The amazing thing is that all the players who could secure their places at both the men’s and women’s national volleyball teams of Sri Lanka at present have reached the national teams through the DSI volleyballs and national school volleyball teams.
In Sri Lanka, there are few leading schools which give birth to a number of talented volleyball sports men and women. Anuradhapura Central College, Rajasinghe Central College in Ruwanwella, Bandaranayaka Maha Vidyalaya in Gampaha, Vigneshwaran Maha Vidyalaya in Jaffna, Dikwella Vijitha Maha Vidyalaya, Dhammissara National School in Naththandiya, Senanayake Central College in Madampe, Dawisamara Maha Vidyalaya in Seeduwa, Ibbagamuwa Central College, Kuliyapitiya Central College, Narammala Mayurapada Vidyalaya, D. S. Senanayake Central College and Sandamadulla Maha Vidyalaya in Ampara are some such schools. However, Vigneshwaran College in Jaffna was able to win the championship of the first school volleyball tournament. This tournament was organized by the Educational Ministry in 1952.
Sri Lankan Volleyball Clubs
The Sri Lankan volleyball clubs provide a considerable contribution towards the upliftment of this game in addition to the state and mercantile organizations. The following list shows some of these leading volleyball clubs.
- Parakrama Sports Club – Minuwangoda
- Wijaya Sports Club – Jaffna
- United Sports Club – Trincomalee
- Nawaka Tharu Sports Club – Negombo
- Nalanda College Sports Club – Minuwangoda
- Blue Diamond Sports Club – Kandangamuwa
- Lucky Six Sports Club – Pothupitiya
- Eksath Tharu Sports Club – Tudella
- District Sports Club – Mannar
- Tharuna Tharu Sports Club – Kaduwela
- Gampaha Kelani Valley Sports Club
- Siyene Tharu Sports Club – Gampaha
- New Six Sports Club – Koswadiya
- Central Sports Club – Kolonnawa
- United Sports Club – Galoya
- St. Don Bosco Sports Club – Hanwella
- United Sports Club – Madampe
- Friends Sports Club – Wellampitiya
- Christian School Sports Club – Baddegama
- CMS Sports Club – Kotte
- Kapila Sports Club – Siyambalagoda
- United Sports Club – Mirihana
- United Sports Club – Nattandiya
Are There Any Employment Opportunities for Volleyball Players?
In order to uplift the livelihood of the volleyball players, both the government and private sector provide employment opportunities for the volleyball players in Sri Lanka. This helps to get them a permanent salary while playing volleyball. In 1987, Lalith Athulathmudali, who was the Minister of Trade and Shipping, and Wimal Amarasekara, who was then chairman of the Sri Lanka port authority, initiated this concept.
From then to now the institutions like Sri Lanka Police, Army, Navy, Air Force, CTB, Brandix, Mas Holdings, National Youth Council, the Institutions of free trade zone, Braiform, Casualine, Martine Impex, etc. provides employment opportunities to the volleyball players in Sri Lanka.
Is There Any Volleyball Team for Differently-abled Persons in Sri Lanka?
Indeed, Sri Lanka consists of a volleyball team with disabled individuals. It consists of people who have become disabled by birth or by facing some unexpected accidents. However, the amazing thing is that they have been able to bring pride to Sri Lanka by winning many awards.
In 2011, the disabled volleyball team won a bronze medal at the World Disabled Volleyball Championship under the captaincy of Aratha Kumara Rathnayake. In addition, this team was able to win the silver medal at the Asian Disabled Beach Volleyball Tournament that took place in the same year. Later in 2012, the Sri Lanka Disabled Men’s Volleyball Team was talented enough to win a silver medal at the International Qualifying Disabled Beach Volleyball Tournament that happened in Germany. Likewise, the Differently-abled Volleyball Team in Sri Lanka also shows improvements, and do well in their tournaments.
Sri Lankan Volleyball Journals
A number of volleyball journals contributed to the publicity of the game in the country. These journals supported the betterment of the game in addition to that.
‘Ceylon Sportsmen‘ is considered one of the earliest magazines, which was published in 1922. Moreover, ‘Sri Lanka Volleyball Guide‘ by M Benjamin, ‘Past History of Sri Lankan Volleyball‘ by D C Alahendra, ‘Volleyball from Then and Now‘ by Susil Ranasinghe, ‘Volleyball Maga‘ by Piyal Wickramasinga, ‘The Evolution of Volleyball in Sri Lanka 1916 – 1985‘ and ‘Sri Lanka Board of Control for Volleyball‘ by Wijerathne Athurupana are some such magazines, that tools the stories of Sri Lankan volleyball to the world.
Highlights of Country’s Volleyball Arena
In 1995, Sri Lanka became a member of the International Volleyball Federation. This is indeed one of the huge steps in the Sri Lankan volleyball history.
For the first time, the Sri Lankan national team defeated India in 1995. Similarly, they defeated the Pakistan team in 2006. These two teams played a major role in the Asian region. So, these victories are indeed highlights.
Further, the Sri Lanka women’s national team was able to secure a victory against India in 1970 for the first time. Moreover, the Sri Lanka Volleyball Team led by Abegunawardena Yapa won the first gold medal for Sri Lanka volleyball at the Vth SAF Games in 1991. The Sri Lankan team defeated the Indian national volleyball team during this game.
Besides, in 1991, the then Minister of Sports declared volleyball the National Game of Sri Lanka.
When Sri Lanka volleyball celebrates its centenary, it has won 02 Gold Medals, 07 Silver Medals, and 06 Bronze Medals in the game. In addition, Beach Volleyball has brought 02 Gold Medals, 06 Silver Medals, and 02 Bronze Medals to the nation. Similarly, differently-abled persons have brought one Gold Medal, two Silver Medals, and one Bronze Medal in volleyball up to now.
According to the International Volleyball Federation, the Senior Men’s Volleyball Team of Sri Lanka secured the 67th Place. Meanwhile, Junior Women’s and Men’s Teams secured 30th and 36th rank respectively. However, the Youth Girls Volleyball Team stands at 65th while the Youth Boys Team stands at 23rd on the list. Furthermore, both Men and Women’s beach volleyball teams of Sri Lanka stand 9th on the list. Thus, it is said that Volleyball and Beach Volleyball belong to the first-class sports category according to the Sports Ministry grading system of Sri Lanka.
The Bottom Line
Of course, volleyball in Sri Lanka has indeed come a long way. However, all these facts prove to us again and again that Sri Lankan volleyball has a long way more to go as well. So, we strictly believe that the next generations of Sri Lankan will also practise this game, and place Sri Lanka’s name in a higher place with regard to volleyball in the years to come. So, we wish all the volleyball players in Sri Lanka all the best with their future endeavours!
