Nelka Shiromala
Nelka Shiromala stands as one of the most distinguished and internationally celebrated figures in the history of Sri Lankan boxing. A former elite boxer turned world-class Boxing Technical Official and Referee, she has carved an extraordinary path through dedication, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Her journey reflects not only personal achievement, but also a series of historic milestones that have elevated Sri Lanka's presence in global boxing and redefined the role of women in the sport.
At the pinnacle of her officiating career, Nelka Shiromala was awarded World No. 02 Boxing Technical Official at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games-a landmark achievement and the first time such a recognition has been bestowed upon a Sri Lankan in boxing history. At the same Olympic Games, she was also ranked Second Best Referee, further affirming her reputation for integrity, technical mastery, and fairness inside the ring.
Her Olympic legacy is unmatched. She is the first Sri Lankan-male or female-to officiate at two Olympic Games (Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024). Globally, she has set unprecedented records as the first woman in the world. to referee two Olympic boxing finals and the first woman to officiate a heavyweight boxing bout at the Olympic Games. These achievements have placed her among the most respected officials in international boxing and established her as a true pioneer for women in the sport.
Nelka Shiromala's excellence has been consistently recognized across Asia and the world. She was named Best Female Referee in Asia in 2017, and has earned Best Referee honors at several prestigious international tournaments, including the U19 World Boxing Tournament 2024 in the USA. In Sri Lanka, her contributions have been acknowledged at the highest national level with the Presidential Award for Best Female (2022), and she was also recognized among the Top 50 Women in Sri Lanka (Sports Category) in the same year. Between 2019 and 2025, she officiated at the highest tiers of international competition across five continents. Her assignments include the Olympic Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Boxing Championships, European Games, Pan American Games, and five continental confederation championships, along with numerous multinational tournaments. In 2025, her leadership extended beyond officiating, serving as a Referee & Judge Instructor, Evaluator, and Observer at the World Boxing Championship and the World Boxing Cup Final, contributing to the development and standardization of officiating worldwide.
Before her historic rise as an official, Nelka Shiromala enjoyed a commendable career as a boxer from 2001 to 2005. She was a consistent medalist at national championships, earning multiple second-place finishes and "Best Loser" awards in the pin weight category. She proudly represented Sri Lanka at the Asian Women's Boxing Championship in Haryana, India (2003), and was a member of Sri Lanka's first-ever women's boxing team-a defining moment in the nation's sporting history. Her legacy is further enriched by a series of national firsts. She was the first female boxer in the Sri Lanka Police, the first female police boxer to represent Sri Lanka internationally, and one of the first female boxing referees in the country. She later became the first Sri Lankan female referee to officiate at international tournaments, the Commonwealth Games, and the Olympic Games, breaking barriers at every level.
Nelka Shiromala's journey-from pioneering female boxer to world-renowned Olympic referee and technical leader-epitomizes courage, perseverance, and excellence. Her achievements continue to inspire generations of athletes and officials, while her service to the sport has brought immense pride to Sri Lanka.