Shihan Samuel Chaminda Herath

The journey began in 1999 with the prestigious Japan Karate Association (JKA). Displaying early promise and dedication, our founder achieved his Black Belt 1st Dan in 2005, followed by his 2nd Dan in 2007. Between 1999 and 2012, he served as a dedicated player, instructor, and branch member under the JKA banner, laying a rock-solid foundation in traditional Shotokan techniques.

His competitive career is marked by extraordinary success on both national and international stages. Selected for the Junior National Karate Team in 2004, he dominated the arena as the Junior National Champion consecutively from 2005 to 2008. In 2007, he brought glory to Sri Lanka by winning the Silver Medal in the Kumite event at the Junior South Asian Open Karate Championship in India. The following year, he represented the nation at the 2008 Asian Karate Championship.

Parallel to his civilian achievements, he served in the Sri Lanka Air Force from 2008 to 2019, where he proudly captained the Air Force Karate Team. During his final two years of service, his vast technical expertise was called upon to design a highly specialized 'Hand-to-Hand Combat' course for the Elite Special Airborne Force.

As an educator, his impact on the next generation of martial artists is immeasurable. He has served as a respected coach for numerous prestigious institutions, including the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU), the CSC Army Unit, Visakha Vidyalaya, Devi Balika Vidyalaya, and St. John's College.

Driven by a vision to cultivate the true spirit of Shotokan Karate, he founded the Japan Karate Do Shotokan Ryu Seishinwakai Association in 2025. Today, as the Founder and Chief Instructor, he continues to share his lifelong expertise, shaping the minds and bodies of the next generation of karatekas.