Colombo, Sri Lanka, July 15, 2026: Former President of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka, Suresh Subramaniam, passed away on Wednesday, July 15. He was 65.
Suresh served as President of the Sri Lanka NOC from 2018 to April, 2026, where he was recognised for his leadership, dedication and unwavering service to Sri Lankan sport.
His tenure as NOC President was marked by deep respect from Executive Board members and staff, who expressed their deep appreciation for his contribution to the country’s landscape. His service was not only remembered for its leadership, but also for the personal commitment and sacrifices he made in the role.
Born on August 18, 1960, Suresh’s first love was tennis. A former player, he was ranked number one in both singles and doubles and represented the island-nation as a member of the Davis Cup squad, captaining it in 2000.
Once his playing days ended, he continued off the court, administratively with the Sri Lanka Tennis Association before becoming President of SLTA from 2002 to 2007, a period widely remembered for the development and expansion of tennis in Sri Lanka.
Under his leadership, the sport grew beyond Colombo, wheelchair tennis was reintroduced, international coaches were brought into the country, and major coaching programmes and tournaments were hosted.
Suresh was also a long-serving figure within the Asian Tennis Federation, joining its board in 2002 and serving as Secretary General from 2005, being closely associated with the development of the Asian Junior Circuit which expanded across the region. He was later appointed ATF Vice President, becoming the first Sri Lankan to hold that position.
A proud alumnus of Royal College, Colombo, Suresh will be remembered as a passionate advocate for tennis, a respected Olympic leader and a dedicated sports administrator.
He will leave a lasting legacy in Sri Lankan and Asian sport through his commitment to development, opportunity and service.
Suresh is survived by his wife Ranjitha and he will be sorely missed by his friends and colleagues in Sri Lanka and around the world.