With the 19th Asian Men’s and Women’s Volleyball Championships coming up, 6 men’s and 5 women’s SAG medalists have been selected to the national pool.
The tournament will be held in the cities of Jakarta, Indonesia and Manila in Philippines in July/August.
The men’s tournament is scheduled to be held from the 24th of July to the 01st of August and the Sri Lankan Volleyball Federation has decided to put forward a squad of 24 players for the tournament.
Captain of the SAG Games Silver Medalist team, Janitha Surath followed by his teammates Gayan Madushanka, Prameda Sudasinghe, Deepthi Romesh, Chamara Mihiran and Shamil Malinda have been included in this squad. Charles Tilakaratne will act as the coach of the men’s national volleyball squad.
Last year’s champions were Iran, who defeated China in the finals.
Due to internal conflicts within the Indian Volleyball Federation, the Indian team has been inflicted with a ban by the Asian Volleyball Federation. Hence Sri Lanka’s biggest rivals would not be able to participate in this tournament said Mr. A. S. Nalaka, Secretary of the Sri Lankan Volleyball Federation.
The highest achievement Sri Lanka has obtained in this tournament is 9th place.
’48 players participated in the selection process. Not only that, we hope to give a chance to the U23 players as well during the July trials. Sri Lanka was 11th last time. We are working hard to make it into the Super 8 round this time,’ Mr. Nalaka said to ThePapare.com.
A 20 player squad, aiming for the Women’s Asian Volleyball Championship has also been announced. 12 players out of this pool will be selected to represent Sri Lanka from the 9th to 17th of July at Manila, Philippines.
Captain Dinusha Prashadini along with several other senior players are included in the team. In addition 7 new players have been added to the squad.
Sri Lanka is placed 115th in World Rankings while India is in the 55th place. In the men’s rankings Sri Lanka is in the 77th place while India is once again ahead at 39th.
Sri Lanka Men’s Squad
Sri Lanka Ports Authority – S. A. Janitha Surath, G. G. Lasindu Methmal, R. H. Dissanayake, I. Shehan Vimukthi
Sri Lanka Electricity Board – M. Gayan Madusanka, Deepthi Romesh, K. A. Tharindu Lakmal, W. Dilina Sudharaka, M.A. Kasun Lahiru, S. P. A. L. P. Pathirana, P. Kasun Chathuranga, S. A. Thilanga Sanjaya, L. G . Chaminda Pushpakumara, A. W. Lakmal
SL Army – Chamara Mihiran, H. P. Mahesh Chandrakumara, A. H. Shamil Malinda, B. H. Wasantha Lakmal, C. M. Sajith Lahiru
SL Navy – J.A. Chanaka Madusanka, S. H. Nawaf, A. P. V. Viraj
SL Air Force – Pramesh Sudasingha, M. Malith Dinidu Chamara
Sri Lanka Women’s Squad
SL Air Force – J. H. Dinesha Prasadini, A. L. A. Anusha Sandamali, F. R. Iresha Umayangi, W. Ruwani Thaksala, R. M. A. G. Chathurika Gayani Ranasinghe, Ashani Chamodika Jayathunga, W. M. G. G. Naduni Himansala.
SL Army – K. G. C. Madushani Weerasinghe, J. P. A. Madurika, W. Lakshika Senaratne, L. R. Kanchana Dilhani, E. M. Sanjeewani Karunaratne, A. Iresha Surangani Perera, W. G. Kanchana Chathurani
SL Navy – Y. G. N. Sanjeewani, H. H. A. Dilusha Sanjeewani, H. M. S. M. Herath
SL Ports Authority – E. D. Wasana Madumali
MAS Casualine – Lakshi Prabodhini
SL Police – P. M. Viraji Chamarika
Selections for Men’s and Women’s U23 teams have already been concluded in preparation for the U23 championships to be held in Iran and Thailand during the month of May. 12 players from each squad will be sent to participate in the tournament.
