Sports Ministry honours medal winners…..

Seven athletes who brought honour and fame to Sri Lanka, winning medals at international sporting events and their coaches were felicitated by the Sports and Tourism Minister Navin Dissanayake at a ceremony held at the Sports Ministry Auditorium yesterday.

The athletes and their coaches were rewarded with cash prizes and gift packs, sponsored by the Sports Ministry. Speaking on the occasion, Minister Dissanayake said that the athletes have brought fame to the country and expected more victories from them in the future.

He also said that there are talented athletes in rural areas and the Ministry would initiate programmes to identify them and help them reach national and international levels. He also noted that President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe had agreed to allocate more funds and resources for the development of sports by 2016. “More and more attention should be given to training, skills identification and nutrition of athletes” Minister added. Sports Development Department Director General K D S Ruwanchandra was also present at the occasion.

Athletes and coaches who were felicitated.

Nimali Liyanarachchi and her coach Sugath Abeysekara

W K Himasha Eshan and his coach M C K Perera

Kaushalya Madushani and her coach B M S Nalinda Senarath

Vidusha Lakshani and her coach Philip Ranjith

D M Indika Chathuranga Dissanayake and his coach R B Wickramasinghe

D K T Wiraj Kumara Palangasinghe and his coach W A R D Wansapura

Sangeeth Wijesuriya and his coach Athula Wijewickrama