The 82nd Layton Cup Boxing Tournament is set to take place from October 1st to 5th, with preliminary rounds at the Royal MAS Arena in Colombo and semi-finals and finals at Browns Beach, Negombo.
This event, which doubles as a selection tournament for the ASBC Asian Elite Boxing Championship in Jordan, is expected to be highly competitive, with the tri-services—Sri Lanka Army, Navy, and Air Force – once again emerging as the frontrunners. Last year, Sri Lanka Army boxers dominated the 81st Layton Cup, clinching 11 gold, 6 silver, and 15 bronze medals.
Their men’s team stood out with 8 golds in various weight categories, while the women’s team added 3 more golds. A standout performer was Private H.K.N.M. Perera of the Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps, who was crowned Best Boxer in the women’s category. In 2024, the Army is fielding another strong team of seasoned fighters, many of whom are expected to build on their 2023 success. Among them are several gold medalists like RMP Dharmasena, HMLP Jayawardana, PAR Prasanna, PSPS Fernando and KGC Pathmasiri. The Navy team also had an impressive run last year, securing 2 golds, 6 silvers, and 9 bronzes in the men’s events.
AMGI Bandara (51kg) and WMGKIGI Ariyarathna (75kg) were among the standout boxers, with Bandara being named Best Boxer of the tournament. In addition, EWA Sandaruwan (under 57kg), AMTS Adhikari (under 67kg), PARL Vinod (under 92kg) and AWA Madushan (under 86kg) bagged silver medals. The women’s team contributed to the Navy’s success as well, with HMHP Jayakodi winning gold in the under 80kg category. This year, the Navy team is expected to return stronger, with high hopes of surpassing last year’s achievements. The Sri Lanka Air Force team, known for their consistent performances, secured 7 golds, 2 silvers, and 4 bronzes at the 2023 Layton Cup. Notable fighters such as PGE Madushan (54kg), MWMM Meegasthenna (92+kg), and MPSS Cooray (60kg) stood out in their respective weight classes.
IPDC Udayakumara (Under 71 kg) and HAWK Kumara (Under 80Kg) won silver medals Air Force dominated the women’s division winning five gold medals through LIN Malshani (Fly Weight – Under 54 kg), KKIT Perera (Bantam Weight – Under 52 kg), MPSS Cooray (Light Weight – Under 60 kg), WWAK Thiwanka (Light Welter Weight – Under 63.5 kg) and KAGN Kaluarachchi (Middle Weight – Under 75 kg). R.A. Nadeeka Pushpakumari, a member of the national team, is one of the top contenders in the women’s light flyweight (50kg) category. Alongside her are seasoned fighters like Muthuthanthri Sajeewani Cooray (60kg) and Malshani (54kg), who bring a wealth of experience to the competition.
This tournament will also mark the return of another accomplished Sri Lanka boxer Keshani Hansika (57kg) from Vidyarathana Sports Club after a year’s layoff following a leg injury. In addition to the seasoned champions from the tri-services, a few rising stars could make headlines at the 2024 Layton Cup. Umayanga Mihiran, a 21-year-old flyweight (51kg) representing Police who nearly qualified for the Paris Olympics during the World Olympic Boxing Qualifying Event in Bangkok, is one such talent. Another top contender is Podi Arachchige Rukmal Prasanna, a featherweight (57kg) boxer who has competed at international events like the 2017 ASBC Asian Youth Boxing Championships and the Commonwealth Games.
Back2Fit’s Daniel Thisaraachchi and Air Force’s KVL Eranda could also make an impact. Both Mihiran and Prasanna are expected to be key players for Sri Lanka in the upcoming ASBC Asian Elite Boxing Championship and could use the Layton Cup as a springboard for international success. This year’s Layton Cup is particularly important as it serves as a selection tournament for the ASBC Asian Elite Boxing Championship, which will be held from November 28th to December 12th in Jordan.
Boxers who perform well will have the opportunity to represent Sri Lanka on this prestigious stage. According to BASL President Anuruddha Shanaka Bandara, the selection committee will closely evaluate each boxer’s performance. “This tournament is a crucial opportunity for our boxers to showcase their talent and earn a spot on the national team,” said Bandara. Top performers may also receive specialised training in Jordan ahead of the championship. _
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