E. M. Dissanayake – a talented athlete and veteran cyclist

He was an outstanding athlete at St. Josephs’ College, Gampola and after leaving school he took up cycling.

Thereafter, he started full time cycling by taking part in his first major event – the ‘Kandurata’ Cycle Race held in Kandy.

Some of his contemporaries were Maurice Coomarawel, Irvin Fernando, Hamilton Vantwest and A. M. Nawaratne.

Dissanayake was placed 12th in this event and later on he participated in over 100 cycle races and his major event was the ‘Tour de Ceylon’ a two-day race held in 1960.

He has taken part in this race for eight years from 1961 and in 1963 he was placed ninth and the winner on that occasion was Coomarawel.

In other events he was fortunate to secure a place among the first 15 winners during the period from 1960 to 1970.

Dissanayake has won many cycle races held in Nuwara Eliya, Hatton, Kurunegala, Kegalle, Avissawella, Matale and Polonnaruwa.

He is a former Vice-President of the Cycling Federation of Sri Lanka and he is the incumbent President of the Kandy District Cycling Association and at present he is the Secretary of the Cycling Federation of Sri Lanka.

He was the Team Manager for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India in 2010 and is also a National Commissioner, Judge at cycling racing events and has conducted many national cycle races as Chief Commissioner.