Rowing in Sri Lanka has gained greater recognition following the participation of our National Rowing Team in the recently concluded Asian Games. The inclusion of Rowing as a sport for the first time, in the South Asian Federation Games has also given it a tremendous boost, said D. Henry, President, Amateur Rowing Association of Sri Lanka to the Sunday Island.

He said that, the ARASL is continuing its offerts to propagate the sport outside Colombo and to also provide assistance to import modern equipment. In this regard, we are happy to note that most of the affiliated clubs are now the proud custodians of their own boats and are also in the process of importing additional equipment."

The 20th Sri Lanka Rowing National Championships and the Rowing Regatta were worked off from August 18-23 on the Beira Lake, where Colombo Rowing Club and Musaeus College, emerged as senior category winners.

A reserved sport

Rowing was introuduced to the country in the middle of the 19th century by the Britishers. Rowing was a reserved sport of the foreign expatriates in the country. This pattern continued for nearly 100 years and it was only after the Second World War that the sport was made available to Sri Lankans and that, too, to the top society.

The Colombo Rowing Club was formed in 1864 on the banks of the Beira Lake in Colombo and still remains the only recognised body of water for this sport. However, there are records to show the sport had been practiced on the Kandy Lake too as at Lake Gregory in Nuwara Eliya for a brief period.

Over the last 50 years, the sport has grown in its appeal, mainly due to its introduction to the colleges and universities. Another exciting prospect is the fact that by the Navy and Army taking up to the sport, it could now be introduced to the rural areas of the country.

The Amateur Rowing Association of Sri Lanka was formed in 1964 and today it has affiliated institutions and is itself affiliated to the International Rowing Authority - the FISA. The ARASL counts amongst its constituent members to universities, 4 boys collegs, 2 girls colleges and the Armed Services (Navy and Army).

The CRC and its facilities have been the main venue for Rowing Sri Lanka, where many international, inter-collegiate, club regattas have been held over the years.

The Madras-Colombo Beat Race, which was rowed first in 1898, according to avaialble records, could be considered as one of the oldest inter-club events, not only in the region, but in the world.

The CRC are the current holders of the Madras-Colombo Challenge Trophy, the Amateur Rowing Association of the East Trophies for Fours and Pairs, the far Eastern Amateur Rowing Association Trophies for Fours, Pairs and Sculls and the CRC - Royal Air Force (UK) championships.

The Rowing Nationals first rowed in 1966 was unfortunately discontinued for a few years due to unavoidable circumstances. However it was revived in 1985 and has been held upto date without a break.

This year’s national championships was of special significance, as it was the 20th conducted by the ARASL which is a very indication that the sport is well established in the country.

The future

In 2002, the sport reached a greater height with Sri Lanka making its maiden appearance in the international arena by sending a team to the 14th Asian Games held in Busan, South Korea. This far-sighted step taken by the ARASL will act as an impetus in popularising and improving the sport. It will also act as the fore-runner of international competitive rowing in the country.

With the 5-year programme formulated by the ARASL, incorporating long-term and iog-term plans to popularise and uplift rowing, the abundant, but unused water-ways and untapped talent will be harnessed to ensure that Sri Lanka will be a rowing power to recken within the region, in the near future.

Following is the Executive Committee of the Ameteur Rowing Association of Sri Lanka 2003/04

President - Deva Henry, Vice President - Nihal de Silva, Secretary - Usman Fatharally, Asst. Secretary - Ms. Minoli Wijesinghe, Treasurer - Chris Parakrama, Ex-co-member - Rohan Fernando.

- The Island