Sankha de Livera Tennekoon’s first passion was not rugby, but cricket. He captained the junior under 16 team at his school, S. Thomas’, and considered it one of his favourite sports.

For avid fans of college level sports in Sri Lanka, leaving the country comes at a steep price – for starters, it means missing the Big Match. Or so Anisha Yasarathne and Nuwina Padukkavidana decided, when they ended up away from Sri Lanka during cricket season.

The bunch that eat, breath and live sport.......we are part time but accomplish full time, we are small but attempt large, we are accused but stand tall, we are media but we are FOR Sri Lankan sports.........

Sankha de Livera Tennakoon – Chief Executive Officer 

Sankha is the face of ThePapare and the guru of rugby. Having been one of the founder members of the site, the CEO remains at the fore-front of the team. While his duties cover a wide range with administration, marketing, technical etc, content plays a major role as he functions as co-editor and is in charge of all the rugby coverage. He also butts-in for all larger coverages and without his presences any TP event feels disoriented.

He has wide knowledge and command of the language to make a good commentator, but has to be dragged in screaming and kicking. Loves to take photographs, do designs and draw when required.

A Thomian -1st XV rugby player,dynamite in position of fly-half in the years 2006 & 2007. He is most remembered as a twin from 'Thora', as he and his brother Esala formed a deadly halves combination.  He also played Cricket for his college and was the 2nd XI captain as well. Naturally fast, he was also an athlete who specialized in 400 meters and 800 meters, and was awarded Athletic colours in 2007 after breaking a  relay record.

He has completed his higher studies at ACBT and has a Degree in Business Management. He is currently hoping to pursue a Masters program in Sports Management

Sankha’s ambition is to remain a top sports personality and drive ThePapare to heights and beyond.

Ganeesha David – Consultant Editor / Operations

Her primary function at ThePapare is editing / planning content, detailing and handling ThePapare events. She is the nag of the outfit; relentlessly pushing to complete tasks. Woe betide anyone who is negligent!! She also sees to administration and keeps things as organized as can be in a chaotic ‘male’ environment. 

A cricket writer, she has contributed to all leading newspapers and websites over the years and has vast experience functioning as an editor. Her forte is features / profile interviews and is currently the only woman cricket writer in the country. 

Her piece ‘a tale of two friends’ and interesting articulation of the two stalwarts Sangakkara and Jaywardena was picked by Cricinfo as best of the web some years back. Ganeesha has a knack for delivering the most mundane facts dressed up in grand style with dramatic captions such as  ‘Running for their lives’, ‘The king and his knight’ ‘minnows in flash-flood’ ‘many a slip between the cup and the lip’ and her personal favourite ‘the man stood on the burning deck’ describing the great Aravinda de Silva. 

Her biggest challenge has been overcoming the man’s domain – ‘sport’. But following her instincts and being blessed with a very thick-skin has taken her through some very awkward moments.

She has no goals, plans or ambitions, living very much in the ‘now’with  motivational projects like putting ThePapare.com on the map.

Lishan Wickramanayake – Head of Corporate Strategy

Lishan has been a keen follower of ThePapare.com since its inception and joined its rank in June 2009. He serves as the primary correspondent of Rowing and in charge of all aquatic related sports. He has the distinction of being the first to take up the camera for ThePapare but has since given the mantle to the dedicated photography team. Old habits die hard, he is still seen wondering the outskirts of any sporting event with his trusty camera in hand. 

Liga, as he is fondly known is immaculate in detail and any jobs that need careful documentation or specifics automatically goes to him.

A former fixed asset of the Royal College Rowing Crew, Lishan has been involved with the sport in various capacities for over the past decade. He has also accomplished the impossible feat of balancing both his studies and his sporting pursuits by gaining admission to the University of Colombo where he is involved in various student bodies including the rowing team and the University Sports Council.

As ThePapare's Head of Corporate Strategy he has the task of plotting the future direction of the company.

Romesh de Fonseka – Head of Marketing

Romesh initially joined the site and as a marketer but was inspired into photography and bought himself a camera. He heads the Marketing team of ThePapare.com and is responsible for bringing in continuous revenue to the site.  He is a massive value addition as he functions as a photographer and reports off and on as well.

A silent worker preferring to put his work where his mouth is, Romesh is an old boy S. Thomas’ College and hails from a sporting family with father and uncle both being outstanding sportsmen. He was the Troop leader of the Scout Troop in 2008 and was awarded the prestigious President’s scout award badge while also being involved in sports such as Basketball and Rugby. He was also appointed a College Prefect in 2009/2010.

Romesh is in constant company of Dilshan another Paparite. The inseparable two are called the ‘husband and wife’. There is still confusion among them who is which.

Romesh has completed his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at Staffordshire University. His ambition is to become a top class marketer.

Dhammika Mahendra – Head of Photography

Dhammika is Head of Photography keeping in toe the vast band of ThePapare photographers. He is diligent and very precise in his work, keeping constant vigil over his flock to ensure quality and standards are met. He will efficiently research on events before coverage and direct the photographers on matters in detail.

Dhammika who is employed in a reputed firm took photography as a hobby and says he forgets the whole world whenever he gets hold of a camera. Dhammika tried out the guitar before the camera but found a clear penchant for the camera and is currently engaged in sport photography and concert photography.

An ovo-lacto vegetarian, he admits to being an introvert and says he values people who are not stereotypes and loves deep conversations. Interested in - Psychology, Philosophy, Photography, he is CIMA qualified even though he does not have too much faith in his numbers.

He loves to cover rugby matches and his ambition is to take up photography as a profession.

Aravinda Ratnayake – Chief Photographer

Aravinda Ratnayake is the guru of lenses at ThePapare.  A versatile photographer, he sets the standards for photography on the site. He is held in high-esteem by the rest and is the automatic choice for all top events. He is technically savvy and is always ready to assist anyone.

In addition to sports photography he is also a professional wedding photographer who covers functions and fashion. His dedication and passion to the art has brought him many accolades and is a sort after photographer of today.

A full time IT professional, Aravinda is seen working on a job long after the rest of the group has given up.

He is an old boy of Vidyartha College. A question in everyone’s mind is why he does not go into full time photography.

Sachin David (Big Bob) – International Rugby correspondent

The ex-prop is colossal in personality as in physique and is the top critic of the site; never satisfied with standards at ThePapare. His life is rugby and runs the column “Break down point’ on international rugby.

Was a part of the conquering Thomian 1st XV rugby side that ended up league runners-up by a tiny margin in 2009. He also represented Sri Lanka at the Junior Asiad and turned out for CR & FC in 2010. 

Sachin considers it a privilege to have got the opportunity of working under the famous New Zealand coach/tournament director George Simpkin for the Carlton 7s in a short stint at the SLRFU. He also coached the Thomian U 18 and 1st XV sides in 2010. He has also had the privilege of being involved in all aspects of rugby; playing, coaching, working in the administration and in reporting the game.

Re-christened Sachin ‘Bobby’ David by his mates for no apparent reason, his secret ambition is to become a rugby coach.

Dilshan Sirisena (bunissira)

Dilshan is in charge of the Basketball segment of ThePapare. Ironically he handles "Basketball" on the site (yes, it's usually played by taller guys) and covers rugby and other sports on demand. He also gives commentary and gets involved in ThePapare events.

A product of St Thomas College Sirisena has an eating capacity that is a bottom-less pit, he was known as ‘bunissira’ because he would wolf-down the buns intended for an entire team. There were claims he was "born and bred in Galkissa" although many knew him to be from a village in Kurunegala. His height was the main crisis next to global warming in his world for many years till he started riding the bike with the seat lifted so high he couldn't keep his feet on the ground!

Was also caught red-handed begging a girl for kisses at McDonalds.

He works full time at ‘Butterflies’ and reads news at a television station. 

Inshaf Cafoor

Probably the youngest member on the team Inshaf who joined in 2011 is ThePapare’s Kandy correspondence responsible for managing a team of 5 and delivering all news from the hill-capital.

A sport passionate, he is a product of Trinity College Kandy. Taking up sports reporting which has been a long awaited dream of his fulfilled. 

He is often questioned by policemen employed in grounds during rugby games as to what he is doing in the field. More often the policemen get offended when he says he has come to report the match and finally has to end up showing his ThePapare ID as proof!

Young and energetic, Inshaf intends to continue in ThePapare team for quite a long time and plans to take up sports journalism as a part time profession in the near future.

Mevan Peiris

Descending from “the town of the Merry-Men”, Mevan is, by divine right, head of entertainment in the Papare team! Yes that is his primary function – keeping the rest in fits of laughter, bringing out the lighter side at some mundane coverage.

A typical product of the ‘Moratuwa’ Kingdom, Mevan was an outstanding all rounder at S. Thomas’ College, He was the Cadetting Sergeant in 2010 while being involved in a range of sports such as Hockey, Soccer, Swimming and Cricket. Furthermore, he led the Hewisi Band and the Sinhala Drama and Debating Society in 2009 and was also a College prefect in 2010/2011.

Mevan plays a dynamic role at ThePapare.com with his reporting skills at all sports and his skills in presenting and commentary. He was an automatic choice to feature on the MTV (national television) segment on ThePapare.com recently and together with the Managing Director and CEO represented the website well. 

Mevan is now a presenter / content provider for the ‘Good Morning Sri Lanka’ at MTV Sports Channel while he also does freelance compering and photography for events. 

He holds a Diploma in Economics and is currently reading for a BSc in International Relations.

Ameen Mohamed

The busy bee at ThePapare.com, Ameen is called upon for everything. His value addition to the site is immeasurable as he entangles himself in everything and anything. He is a top content provider for the site and is in charge of the Football. In addition to this he covers Cricket, Rugby and many other sports.

Ameen is super-passionate about any sport.  He was a leading personality at Royal College being a Prefect and involved in a number of extra and co-curricular activities. He is also an ardent Arsenal supporter and rarely fails to watch a game.

Ameen has an infectious spirit showing tremendous enthusiasm in everything he puts his hand to. He is always at the top of his game and his endearing disposition makes it hard for anyone to find fault with him. 

At present he is studying at Royal Institute and reading for a degree in Economics and Management and his ambition is to go into the Foreign Service. 

Hiran Weerakkody – Graphic Designer / Photographer

Hiran though fairly new to the team has firmly entrenched himself and a solid cog in the wheel. He has plunged himself into a robust work ethic getting involved in all aspects of the site. He is a top end photographer and graphic designer. 

Passionate about sports, Hiran always managed to dedicate a generous amount of time to sports. He was a hockey player at his school St. Peter’s College and although he’s more into cricket he is also a fan of various types of sports such as hockey, football, rugby etc.

His passion for graphic designing and 3D animation grew when he was just a school boy and it prompted him to become a professional creative designer.An avid photography enthusiast, his camera is his constant companion in his daily life. Hiran has captured some dynamic and exciting moments of sporting events for the past few years. 

He has a Higher National Diploma in Multimedia, a Diploma in photography and many other academic qualifications regarding creative designing. He is currently following a diploma on movie production and direction. 

Hiran’s dearest ambition is to reach the zenith of creative designing and to use his skills and knowledge in future to distribute a strong image of sports to fans and non-fans alike. 

Rajeev Dassanayake 

Rajeev is one of the youngest members of the team and is known as a  very creative photographer.  He covers all sports events specializing in tennis and water sports. 

He was a member for the Isipathana College cricket team from 2005-2010 and was vice captain at a junior level. Won the Gold Star award in 2005 (cub scout) He was made prefect but the teachers took his badge two months later.

After many years of cricket, he realized what he really wanted was to take pictures and end up being a sport photographer! He believed ThePapare was the best place to achieve his goal.  Now he enjoys being a part of the red family and says he always will be. 

Asith de Silva – Managing Director

The Managing Director of the company, he gets fully immersed in all areas of the website. He together with his cum took over ThePapare in 2009 and has guided it to the place it is now.With a B.Sc in IT, MBA &M.Sc (Network Computing) his expertise goes a long way to keep the site afloat and minus trouble. 

He lectures at several educational institutes in addition to running ThePapare.com and other entities.

Asith is the most diplomatic person in the team, he never jumps the gun, is a terrific listener and absolutely fabulous at handling people. Calm, rational and gives ear to everyone’s opinion and quietly makes his own. 

His strength is never being afraid to admit to what he does not know and being more than prepared to learn. No clue to sports, he constantly gets it in the ribs for it. 

He cheerfully lends his home for any Papare meeting and gets involved in coverage (streaming etc) but must run home for certain calls.

His vision for ThePapare is to become ESPN of Sri Lanka 

Head of Brand Communications and Creative Services

He joined TP back in 2010 as a writer and took up photography as well. Subsequently he was assigned to overlook the areas of Boxing and Squash for which he was instrumental in creating a following on the site.  He also got involved in the technical side of things at the time and assisted the web master. He is painfully accurate about any job he sets out to do and drives the rest of the team mad with his need for information / process and detail. He was insistent on TP reaping benefits of social media and together with Lishan enforced the ThePapare FB, Twitter, Youtube accounts.

At his time at Royal he represented the college in Tennis and Cricket from 2001 - 2003, contributed to the school mag - The Royalist, served as Treasurer of the Media Unit and was a President's scout as well.

Constantly striving to do things differently He overlooks the branding of the site. He also formed the design arm of the website, which he heads; turning out one after another or classy, well-captioned, highly popular banners, support photo-texts, invites, cards, posters and other glossaries. ThePapare.com creative services team – One Red Dot intends venturing out with its designs commercially.

He is a graduate of University of wales, an affiliated professional of Chartered Institute of Marketing

Assistant Web Master

His responsibility is to take care of the sites technical side. Uploading, moderating, live streaming are his main duties and being the general watchdog keeping all breast of happenings and changes etc. He has quickly mastered the expectations of site and contributes immeasurably and get involved in all aspects of the site. He fitted in immediately with the TP culture.

ThePapare crew are always versatile because of his fervent for sports. He also looks over the area of Golf and Tennis and keeps a check on International Events as well.

An ardent cricket fan, he was a chess player at St Peter's College. Currently an IT Executive, he develops and maintains web sites and mobile sites in addition to working at TP. He has a diploma in multimedia and many academic qualifications related to designing and developing websites.

His ambition is to become an IT Engineer.

The Marketing Director

Prefers to be incognito.  An enigma unto his own self and everyone else!

Owns the company together with the Managing Director.

The Marketing Director of the company, his strategies are always forceful and he impresses people with his knowledge of all around him.

Most disruptive at the Management meetings, he somehow manages to divert attention to some completely irrelevant subject. Meetings finish much faster when he is not around but he keeps everyone in splits when he is. 

Has made some enemies for ThePapare categorically telling people what he feels. His marketing is approach is to tell people to take a hike, if they are demanding more than their pound of flesh. Though he is qualified to do so, Marketing is the last thing anyone should allow him to do.

Ever willing he ends up almost always taking on more than he can deliver but is a eager participant in all big coverages and is disappointed if he is left out of things, loves to be in the thick of things…….

His vision is to make ThePapare the ultimate news source and has bigger ambitions for the site than the others know of.