NIHARA JAYATHILLEKE
President Royal Turf Club
Mrs. Nihara Jayathilleke
Mrs. Jayatilleke, a past pupil of Musaeus College, fell in love with horses at the age of four and knew she always wanted to ride. She has been a keen horse rider since 1998 and was the only Sri Lankan woman rider for years. Mrs. Jayatilleke completed the first ever beach race in Mount Lavinia in 2003, and in the dressage events.
She is currently the Managing Director of Asian Aviation Centre, Colombo Airport and was the Secretary of the SLEA (Sri Lanka Equestrian Association) for a number of years and was actively involved in promoting the industry in this country. In 2002, Nihara, together with a British friend embarked on a charity horse ride from Vavuniya to Jaffna that took her 4 days. "Peace for Children" was a fundraiser for the children of the Wanni, Kytes & Delft. She also has the distinction of being the executive producer of two movies. Mrs. Nihara Jayatilleke is now the first female president of a horse racing club, in Asia.
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