Sri Lanka’s 9/1 in athletics

By Namal Pathirage

Is Sri Lanka heading for yet another world record?

Though it was only Sri Lanka’s short distance sprint queen Susanthika Jayasinghe who qualified to take part at the 11th World Athletic Championships in Osaka Japan which is scheduled to begin on August 26 it is reported that a whopping contingent of nine officials have applied for visas to accompany the athlete.

They are: Sunil Jayaweera (Manager), Dhammika Nandakumara (coach), Robert Mohan (masseur), Maj. Gen. Palitha Fernando (President AAASL), Prema Pinnawela (Representative of the World Athletic Association), Shantha de Silva (observer), Lt. Gen. Sudath Madugalle (observer), Y.K. Kularatne (observer), Mrs. Jayanthi Pinnawela ( Chaperone).

Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge speaking to The Sunday Times on the issue said that the ministry will bear the costs of only Susanthika Jayasinghe, Dhammika Nandakumara. However, the minister added that if any official wants to make the trip at his own expense he has no objections against that.

The Sunday Times also learns that the World Athletic Association President, Prema Pinnawela and his wife Jayanthi will meet their own expenses while the AAASL will have to sponsor the rest of the contingent. The return air ticket will cost Rs. 85,000 while the entire trip will cost approximately Rs. 200,000 per person.

Meanwhile one of the employees of the Athletic Association said that the work at the AAASL may come to a grinding halt from August 22 to September 5 as the above mentioned personnel hold all the key positions of the association.

However, Prema Pinnawela is also scheduled to represent Sri Lanka at the World Atheletic Association AGM which will also run concurrently at the same venue.