Sri Lanka has established its name on the international stage through various sporting disciplines. However, in the field of Powerlifting, Deshamanya Dr. Ruwan Susantha Paul (Dr. Ruwan S. Paul JP, Deshamanya, PMJF) stands tall as a distinguished figure who has taken Sri Lanka’s national pride onto the highest world stage.
His life journey spans across multiple demanding arenas: an international champion athlete, a decorated former Sri Lanka Navy Commissioned Officer who survived enemy mortar attacks, an international corporate entrepreneur, President of World Powerlifting Sri Lanka, an Australian Sports Commission-certified coach, and a devoted humanitarian touching thousands of underprivileged lives.
Holding dual Sri Lankan and Australian citizenship, Dr. Ruwan Paul has built an enduring bridge between both nations through commerce, sports development, and humanitarian missions. Having begun life in an ordinary family and risen through insurmountable challenges, his overarching life mission today is to identify talented athletes—particularly those hidden in rural and economically disadvantaged areas of Sri Lanka—and elevate them into international champions.
Having begun his life in an ordinary family, Dr. Ruwan Susantha Paul’s trajectory is defined by sheer determination, mental resilience, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Rather than accepting ordinary limits, he confronted every adversity head-on, proving time and again that mental fortitude and disciplined execution can triumph over any circumstance.
As a dual citizen of both Sri Lanka and Australia, Dr. Paul has spent decades establishing world-class athletic facilities, successful commercial enterprises, and vital charitable foundations across both borders. His connection between Australia and Sri Lanka has empowered countless Sri Lankans to achieve professional careers abroad, gain access to cutting-edge sports science, and experience high-performance training methods.
Today, having achieved the pinnacle of sporting, military, and business success, his undivided focus is dedicated to the youth of Sri Lanka. His present goal is to go far beyond personal glory by identifying talented young athletes hidden in Sri Lanka's rural villages and economically disadvantaged sectors, equipping them with world-class facilities and international sponsorship to conquer the global stage.
A multidisciplinary academic trajectory combining engineering, executive business administration, sports management, and clinical nutrition.
Received school education at the prestigious Maris Stella College, Negombo and Christ King College, instilling strong discipline, values, and sporting ethos from an early age.
Pursued higher engineering studies in Marine Engineering in the United Kingdom, building deep technical, structural, and mechanical acumen applied throughout his naval and corporate engineering careers.
Earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, mastering global commerce, organizational leadership, and international investment strategy.
Completed doctoral research (PhD) specializing in Sports & Business Management, formulating high-performance athlete development models and sports facility infrastructure systems.
Qualified as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) with over 35 years of elite practical experience in sports biochemistry, metabolic conditioning, macro periodization, and drug-free strength peaking.
Officially accredited Powerlifting Coach certified by the Australian Sports Commission, mastering biomechanics, kinetic chains, injury prevention, and competition platform management.
Recognized as the first Sri Lankan athlete to amass one of the highest international medal counts in Powerlifting history.
Dominant display representing Sri Lanka across both Open and Masters classes at the premier Asian continental championship.
Conquered the Asia Pacific regional platform against elite contenders from across the Pacific rim.
In a display of unparalleled courage, Dr. Ruwan Paul entered the World Championship arena under catastrophic circumstances: battling severe flood conditions, an acute leg injury, and severe illness. Entering the competition on crutches, he refused to withdraw, stepped onto the platform, and claimed 1 Gold Medal and 1 Silver Medal for Sri Lanka.
Crowned World Champion in both the Open and Veterans divisions simultaneously, achieving one of the greatest milestones in Sri Lankan sports history.
Cemented Sri Lanka's dominance across the Asia-Pacific circuit with multiple podium top finishes.
Held in Italy; proudly hoisted the Sri Lankan Lion Flag on European soil against the world's strongest powerlifters.
Swept 1 Gold at Power Pit Open, 3 Gold & 1 Silver at Oceania Championships, and 3 Gold & 1 Silver at the Australian Championships.
Won 1 Gold at Australian Championships and 3 Gold & 1 Silver at the Oceania Championships.
Earned 1 Gold & 1 Silver at the Melbourne Open and 3 Gold & 1 Silver at the Oceania Championships.
1 Gold at Australian Championships, 3 Gold & 1 Silver at New Zealand Masters Games, and 2 Gold & 1 Silver at Asia Championships.
Set two brand new Australian National Records in the Squat event at the 2019 Australian Masters Games, an iconic milestone heralding his international dominance.
Transforming Sri Lanka into a recognized powerhouse in international strength sports administration.
Dr. Ruwan Paul is not merely a decorated world champion; he is the official President of World Powerlifting Sri Lanka (WPSL). Under his leadership, Sri Lanka achieved an unprecedented international milestone: organizing and hosting the 2025 World Powerlifting Championship in Colombo for the very first time in South Asian history.
As an Australian Sports Commission-certified coach, his coaching ethos is founded upon scientific biomechanics, safety, drug-free integrity, and personalized athletic peaking. Through PULS Fitness Center, he personally coaches promising Sri Lankan lifters to compete against the world's finest athletes.
Building international conglomerates, property developments, recruitment networks, and hospitality ventures across Australia and Sri Lanka.
Oversees international investments, corporate acquisitions, and cross-border commercial developments across the Asia-Pacific region.
Created life-changing overseas employment pathways for over 5,000 skilled professionals, empowering thousands of Sri Lankan families.
Australian International Migration Consultants providing lawful visa pathways, skilled worker migration, and student visas to Australia.
Strategic real estate investments, property portfolio management, and commercial land developments across Australian states.
Premier hospitality and boutique hotel destination catering to international travelers, tourists, and athletic delegations visiting Sri Lanka.
Managing state-of-the-art strength arenas, fitness infrastructure, wellness franchises, and high-performance equipment networks.
Diversified corporate holding entity managing international equity interests, capital ventures, and asset management.
Specialist emergency structural flood restoration, remediation, and building recovery services operating across Australia.
Comprehensive international travel facilitation, tourism itineraries, airline ticketing, and corporate sports group logistics.
Touching hundreds of thousands of lives through healthcare, hunger alleviation, disaster relief, and youth education.
Funded and organized free eye screening clinics, hundreds of life-changing cataract-removal surgeries, and distribution of thousands of free spectacles to the impoverished elderly.
Conducted community-wide mobile diagnostic camps for early diabetes detection, glucose monitoring, and preventative oncology awareness campaigns across rural Sri Lanka.
Ongoing food distribution drives providing nutritious dry rations and cooked meals to vulnerable families, beggars, and marginalized urban and rural communities.
Donated tens of thousands of school textbooks, stationery packs, uniforms, and educational scholarships to underprivileged students in rural, under-resourced schools.
Direct financial and material emergency aid to victims of devastating Australian bushfires and flood-ravaged communities during natural disasters in Sri Lanka.
Founder & Vice President of Lionsbridge International Foundation; bestowed the Melvin Jones Fellowship (PMJF), 2024 Chairman for Australian Affairs of the International Human Rights Global Mission, and Master of Freemasons Australia.
Allocating 6 acres of land and building world-class multi-sport infrastructure to create Sri Lanka’s next generation of champions.
Rather than limiting his hard-won achievements to himself, providing genuine life-changing opportunities for Sri Lanka’s rising generation has become Dr. Ruwan Paul’s supreme life mission.
Although he holds dual Australian citizenship with every facility to live comfortably abroad, he returned to Sri Lanka with an ambitious blueprint: identify talented children from rural, economically challenged families and provide them with world-class facilities to conquer international championships.
Under his direct guidance and sponsorship, 16 Sri Lankan athletes have already competed in Nepal across two international championships, while 4 athletes have competed and won medals in Australia—proving conclusively that Sri Lankan youth can defeat the world's best when provided genuine coaching and opportunity.
Prime land allocated for the mega sports academy and high-performance development complex.
Modern flagship gymnasium, strength arena & Olympic-grade swimming pool facility.
State-of-the-art Indoor Multi-Sport Stadium currently under construction for Futsal, Badminton, Basketball, Netball & Indoor Cricket.
Already funded and sent to international meets in Nepal and Australia with proven podium victories.
Connect directly with Dr. Ruwan Paul's coaching mentorship team at PULS Fitness Center.