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Kandy Sports Correspondent

Formula racing driver Suranjith Premadasa was unanimously elected as the President of the Sri Lanka Association of Motor Sports (SLAMS) at a meeting convened by the Minister of Sports with this move the Interim Board which had been handling this sport for the last few years will be handled by the SLAMS.

Premadasa is best remembered for his exploits in formula racing at Mahagastota Speed Hill for which he still holds the class record for modified formula cars and the course record with a timing of 35.84 second in 1995. Rohan de Silva came close to breaking this record twice but both these were during the official practices.

Premadasa has long experience in the administration of motor sports, and has been the livewire of the Southern Motor Sports Club in organising races and rallies in the Southern Province.

He also organised the first ever Sabaragamuwa Motor Races but pulled out the following year as he felt that the safety measures were not quite adequate and this was proved right when last year, a fatal accident saw that the races being called-off mid-way.

A very stern disciplinarian and brooks no nonsense and with him at the helm, motor sports should see new horizons with his ability to organising events successfully.

It is not only motor sports in which Premadasa is interested and has taken a keen interest in promoting horse racing. He introduced beach racing in Sri Lanka, first at Matara and later had a meet at Mount Lavinia to raise funds for his alma mater Royal College.

He has also successfully conducted horse-racing events at Nuwara Eliya with his club Sri Lanka Turf Club. Now there is horse race meeting at Nuwara Eliya every month. In order to promote horse racing, Premadasa has also started a horse-riding school which is the first of its kind where those interested could learn horse-riding.

Premadasa has also played cricket for Matara SC, and with personality like at top, motor sports should reap the full benefit.

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