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It will be an emotional evening with sorrow as one of Sri Lanka's leading sports administrators and a former Sri Lanka Public Schools athlete, Rohan Amarasinghe makes his last lap in the 'life track' today. Sri Lanka athletes, young and old and all those who are associated in athletic circles will pay their last respects to the late Secretary General of the Sri Lanka Athletic Association, who died of a sudden heart attack on Sunday.

Amarasinghe has been a popular figure in athletic circles and played a key role in the promotion of track and field during the past decade. He was elected Secretary General of the Athletic Association of Sri Lanka (AAA) on five occasions since 1993, with the last time being at last March's AGM, where he was elected uncontested.

The new Sri Lanka athletic chief, Sunil Jayaweera, had big plans when he and Amarasinghe were elected to the top seats of the AAA only a month ago.

Having known the administrative capabilities of Amarasinghe, AAA President Jayaweera immediately entrusted his Secretary General the great task of manning the Asian Athletic Championship Secretariat. Amarasinghe got the initial act together and helped Jayaweera to appoint a sub committees and get Sri Lanka's Asian Track & Field Championship preparations going on schedule.

It is sad to note that one of the most wanted men to make next August's 43-nation Asian Championships in Colombo a success had to meet with an untimely death.

Having served as Secretary General and Senior Vice President of the AAA under different administration, Amarasinghe proved his credentials as one of country's leading sports administrators. He was a silent man who let his work and dedication to do the talking.

A popular Pubic Schools athletic coloursman of his day, Amarasinghe is a proud product of Ananda Vidyalaya, Colombo. An energy engineer by profession, he had also represented Loughborough College, United Kingdom athletics team during his higher studies.

Amarasinghe, former General Manager of Colombo Gas Company and Shell Gas Company, was the Managing Director of Safe Gas Systems (Pvt) Ltd, at the time of his death. He leaves behind his beloved wife Assuntha of Richard Pieris Tyre Company and two children - Dilshan and Sharika, both students at the Royal Institute. The cortege leaves residence at No. 62/15, Bodiya Road, Mirihana, Nugegoda at 4.30 p.m. today. - (Dinesh) 

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