Shirantha Peries, a respected businessman, sports administrator, and current Vice President of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka, officially announced his candidacy for the presidency of the National Olympic Committee at a gathering of sports association members held on 20 April at Cosmic, Lotus Tower. Presenting a clear and practical mandate, Peries outlined his vision to strengthen governance, unify federations, and elevate Sri Lanka’s sporting performance on the international stage.

With over four decades of professional experience, Peries is the owner of the Mega Pharma Group of Companies, a leading pharmaceutical enterprise with an annual turnover exceeding Rs. 6 billion. His career reflects strong operational discipline, financial stewardship, and the ability to build and lead institutions at scale. He holds two MBAs from the United Kingdom and the United States, further reinforcing his strategic and leadership credentials.

“Leadership, to me, is about building an institution that is united in purpose, transparent in action, and accountable in delivery. Sri Lankan sport needs systems that work fairly, consistently, and in the best interests of athletes, federations, and the country as a whole,” Peries said.

Beyond business, Peries has made a significant contribution to Sri Lanka’s sporting landscape through both infrastructure development and sports administration. He has personally invested in developing and upgrading shooting ranges in Nuwara Eliya, Katukurunda, and Payagala at the Clay Target Shooting Club of Colombo, helping bring these facilities up to international standards while expanding access to the sport.

In 2015, he became the first civilian President of the National Shooting Sport Federation of Sri Lanka. During his tenure until 2025, the federation recorded significant growth, with participation increasing from around 200 athletes to over 7,500 young participants. Under his leadership, youth development remained a major priority, with athletes under 16 achieving national success and securing medals at Asian-level competitions.

“We have already seen that when structure, access, and long-term development are given priority, results follow. I believe the same disciplined and inclusive approach can strengthen every sport in Sri Lanka and create a better pathway for athletes to succeed,” he added.

Peries currently serves as Vice President of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka and also holds positions in international sporting bodies, including as an Executive Member of the Asian Shooting Confederation and as a Board Member supporting development initiatives within the International Shooting Sport Federation. He also serves as Chairman of Lotus Tower, reflecting his ability to work on large-scale national projects and engage closely with Government stakeholders.

His sporting journey began at the age of 12, when he took up air rifle shooting under the guidance of his father. He later represented Sri Lanka at the SAF Shooting Games in 2000, winning a team silver medal and an individual bronze medal, giving him firsthand insight into the demands of international competition.

Addressing association members and media at the event, Peries said Sri Lankan sport is at a defining moment and requires stronger systems, greater unity, and transparent governance. He stressed that the role of the National Olympic Committee must be to serve as a credible, effective, and trusted institution that creates fair opportunity and supports performance across all disciplines.

His mandate focuses on building a National Olympic Committee that is united in purpose, transparent in operation, and fair in opportunity. Among the key priorities he outlined were quarterly visibility of decisions, an open-book approach to funding and sponsorship opportunities, merit-based eligibility frameworks, stronger athlete protection mechanisms, and structured capability development for athletes and coaches.

He also proposed the introduction of a formal feedback mechanism at Olympic House, improved accountability through clearly defined roles and responsibilities, and closer collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and the Government of Sri Lanka.

“Sri Lankan sport does not lack talent. What it needs is a stronger and more accountable system that brings people together, supports excellence, and gives every athlete a fair chance to progress,” Peries said. “My focus is on building a National Olympic Committee that unites stakeholders, operates with integrity, and delivers outcomes that the sporting community and the country can genuinely stand behind.”

With a rare combination of experience as a business leader, sports administrator, and national athlete, Shirantha Peries positioned himself as a candidate focused on practical delivery, institutional strength, and long-term impact.