Angampora STIMA
Sri Lankan Traditional Indigenous Martial art Association (STIMA)
Sri Lankan Traditional Indigenous Martial Art Association (STIMA) is founded by Guru Piumal Edirisinghe through the collaboration of gurus and student from various angam clans who’s singular goal is to sharing knowledge and the preservation of this art by researching, categorizing, organizing and storing knowledge in one place to be carried forward for future generations. STIMA is a government approved organization that registered in the ministry of Cultural Affairs and the ministry of Sports – Sri Lanka.
The chief adviser of the organization is Dr S Alwis along with Guru Piumal Edirisinghe, Guru Premasiri Malimbadarachchige, Guru Athula Nandana, Guru Lasantha, and Guru Oliver Herrmann. Hence this organization possesses the best of all the significant aspects of Angam within its ranks. STIMA is also the only Angam training organization that has branches in Europe. STIMA selects it’s Gurus and students through a special evaluation process.
By now STIMA has been recognized by local and international organizations for its work on the preservation and dissemination of knowledge of Angampora. STIMA has further joined hands with such entities, for the further development and creation of awareness of the art in the global and local arena.
Meet the team
Guru Premasiri
A veteran Angam practitioner of 70 years, was first trained in Angam by his father Alexander Malimbada Arachchi. Shortly after he was made a student by his father under renowned Angam master and relative, Jamis Malimbada Arachchi. Not stopping there, Guru Premasiri he had also gone to train under Master Rathnapala of Kegalle for further advanced training. With the invitation of Guru Piumal, Guru Premasiri joined hands with his fellow practitioners to create the Sri lanka Traditional Indigenous Martial Arts association (STIMA). He currently acts as the Secretary for STIMA in addition to being an instructor of the association. He is expertise in Angam is seen in various forms of Knife-play and an extensive knowledge is Locks performed during armed an unarmed combat.
Guru Athula
A former head student of Guru Karunapala of Kotte, took on apprenticeship with Guru Wickramasinghe for further advanced Angam studies. Having been a devoted practitioner of the art of Angam for over 38 years, Guru Athula shows great prowess in warrior yoga, stick fighting and hand to hand combat techniques. His knowledge on the history and evolution of Angam is unparalleled. Guru Athula is a currently the chief technical instructor for STIMA main training center located at Athurugiriya.
Guru Lasantha
An experienced Angam practitioner, was first trained in Angam under Guru Karunapala of Kotte. Not stopping there, Guru Lasantha he had also gone to train under Guru. Wickramasinghe of Kotte and Guru Wijesinghe for further advanced training. With the invitation of Guru. Piumal, Guru Lasantha joined hands with his fellow practitioners to create the Sri lanka Traditional Indigenous Martial Arts association (STIMA). He is currently hold the position of Chairman of STIMA in addition to being an instructor of the association and care taker of main training center located at Athurugiriya.
Guru Piumal
Guru Piumal Edirisinghe has been studying and developing Angampora for the past 24 years. He started learning the art first and foremost from the world-renowned and prolific Ayruvedic medical practitioner Dr. Mudalihamy Warnasuriya, who also happens to be his maternal grandfather. Subsequently he also trained under senior masters such as Karunapala of Kotte, Wickramasinghe of Kotte, Premasiri Malimbadarachi, Dayananda Hewakottuge, Athula and Charles Warnasuriya of Matale and Rathnasiri Kotagama. Piumal is now one of the most respected and prolific practitioners of this ancient discipline and has been hugely influential in spreading and raising awareness of the art to a wider audience in both Sri Lanka and the international arena.
Guru Oliver
A of pioneering member of STIMA . He is from Germany who is an experienced Mixed Martial Artist (MMA) who has initially trained in various disciplines. His skill has earned him the championship for the annual European Self Defense Organization (ESDO) tournaments for 2005. He was first introduced to Angam over an internet forum in 2007. Intrigued by what he had encountered, Oliver visited Sri Lanka in the same year to discover Angam further. Since then he has studied Angam for over 10 years ever since then, under various Gurus and trainers. Guru. Oliver is the head of two STIMA -Angam training centers which he have founded in Germany and Switzerland, currently training over 50 students in total and steadily growing. Through him, European students have been given the rare opportunity to learn and understand Angam not only as physical self defense training, but as a highly specialized spiritual discipline as well.
Snr. Trainer Nishantha
A head student of Guru Premasiri. Having been a devoted practitioner of the art of Angam for over 15 years, Trainer Nishantha shows great prowess in hand to hand combat and Mace fighting. He is among the few who joined in pioneering the formation of STIMA.
Trainer Ravi
Trainer Ravi Madhusanka. Is One of senior student of Guru Piumal. Conducts training for a vast number of students and, Has participated with STIMA for local and international workshops. Has been an experienced Angam practitioner had good knowledge in grips locks and grounds fighting.
Trainer Anuruddha
Trainer Anurudda. Is One of senior student of Guru.Piumal. Around 12 years experience as an Angam practitioner. He has been with STIMA since inception. Makes his contribution by conducting training for international students, and also as a resource for conducting awareness programs and workshops. Has participated with STIMA for local and international workshops.
Trainer Nilmini
Trainer Nilmini aka “Punchi Manike” Is One of senior students of Guru.Piumal and the only female trainer of STIMA. Noted for her invaluable work in creating awareness and promoting Angampora among women by displaying her skills and sharing experience via local and international media. She also personally undertakes the training and development of the female students and carries knowledge of hand to hand combat ground fighting and weaponry. She has participated with STIMA for local and international workshops and performances.
International Representatives of STIMA
Mr. Anoop Thomas- INDIA
Mr Anoop is a ancient martial art researchers and his interest in philosophy and quest for knowledge set him on a steep learning curve as he began learning Traditional Indian martial arts and delving deeper into Kalaripayattu (Northern & Southern styles) kriya yoga, spiritual healing and Mystic Arts. During his search for spiritual wisdom he met many Masters and Guides. Right now as a part of Angam and he is working towards creating a thought process that places importance on spiritual enhancement while reviving th lost Ancient martial arts culture.
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