Dayasiri pays glowing tributes to Paralympics athletes
View(s):At the presentation of Dialog sponsorship package to the National Paralympics contingent and the Sri Lanka Army Para Games from 2015 to 2017 held at the Sports Ministry Auditorium on Wednesday Dayasiri Jayasekera Minister of Sports addressing the Media briefing paid a glowing tribute to the Paralympic Athletes and wish them every success at the forthcoming International Paralympics Championship World Meet to be held in Doha.
National Paralympics contingent with the Sports Minister
Speaking further the Minister said he is thankful to the National Paralympics Committee and the Sri Lanka Army Paralympics Council for giving the disabled soldiers and the other athletes a chance to forget their dark memories they experienced in the battle field and make them understand that the country still needs their services.
The minister was also confident that the determination and courage shown by the soldiers will carry forward to the field of World Championships to bring fame and glory to the country. Minister Jayasekera also revealed the government’s plans to make every effort in making the disabled soldiers happy and comfortable as they have sacrificed their limbs, blood and sweat to the liberation of the motherland. Minister Jayasekera also thanked Dialog for their sponsorship that will give every encouragement for these great sons of Lanka.
He also said the value of staging Paralympic meets as it will give a chance for every disabled soldier and the other disabled athletes to show their prowess so that in future Sri Lanka will have many Susanthika Jayasinghes, Damayanthi Dharshas and Sugath Thilekaratnes in Paralympics too. The national Paralympics Committee which was established in 1996 joining hands with the Army Paralympics Committee have taken their strides forward towards the development of para games in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s contingent for the Doha Games will be led by Anil Prasanna Jayaratne of the Commando Regiment. He won Gold medals at the 2013 Open World Championships in 200, 100 metres and long jump events. At the 2014 Asian Para Meet Anil won Gold medals in 100, 200 metre events and a Silver medal at the long jump event.
Other members of the contingent are:
Upul Indika Chuladasa (Sinha Regiment) – Won Bronze medals at the 2014 Asian Para Games in 200 and 100 metres.
Chaminda Sampath Hettiarachchi (Vijayabahu Regiment) – winner of a gold medal in Javelin Throw and a silver in the Putt Shot event at the 2013 Open Paralympics Games in China.
Dinesh Priyantha Herath (Gajaba Regiment) – winner of a gold medal in Javelin Throw and silver in Shot Putt event at the 2012 Malay sia Para Games. Amara Indumathie (Rihab Lanka Sports Club) – The only woman athlete in the squad. Having won Gold in 100, 200 and Long Jump events at the 2012 Malaysia Para Games.
Dumeera Maduranga Alwis (Rihab Lanka Sports Club) – Won silver in 100, 200 metres and in Long Jump at the 2012 Malaysia Para Games and in the 2014 Asian Para Games won a Silver at the 100 meters and a bronze medal in Long Jump events.
Deepal Herath and Rohitha Fernando will accompany the contingent as Manager and Coach respectively.