Football is what it is today due to the hard work and dedication of the stalwarts whose determination surpassed all barriers. The services rendered by President R. Premadasa, Ministers V.A. Sugathadasa and Weerasinghe Mallimarachchi deserve much appreciation. It is no exaggeration to say that Mr. Manilal Fernando’s name is synonymous with Sri Lankan football. He had been a tower of strength to this glorious game over the last two decades and has been mainly responsible for most of our recent achievements.

Football House and the National Training centre are landmarks in this endeavour. Further we are fortunate to have people of the calibre of Presedent, Football Federation of Sri Lanka and Chief Executive Officer, Football Federation of Sri Lanka - Mr. Chrysantha Perera who stood by him through thick and thin to fulfil these ventures. These officials are worthy of the glowing tributes paid for their good work by none other than Mr. Joseph Sepp Blatter – FIFA President and Mr. Bin Hamman – AFC President. The President, Football Federation of Sri Lanka is carrying on in the same spirit with his devoted team which is an enormous relief for everyone who loves this sport. It is most heartening to note that after nearly 4 decades of ethnic conflict, much headway has been made with the peace negotiations under the present regime. As a result of this the national team was able to play a friendly match in Jaffna with the Maldives National Team, which would not have been possible if not for the prevailing peaceful situation.