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Ibbankatuwa, the latest name in windsurfing
Kosala surfs to victory and makes history in the process
By M. Shamil Amit
The inaugural windsurfing event in an inland water reservoir at the Ibbankantuwa tank in Dambulla turned out to be a resounding success. Titled the Midsummer Windsurfing Championship 2003 which was organized by the Wind surfing Association of Sri Lanka in conjunction with the Sri Lanka Tourist Board, Ministry of Tourism and assisted by the Lanka Sportreizen, gave the residents of Dambulla something to remember. The event was a boost to the windsurfers as well.

Moving away from the lagoons and the beaches where wind surfing was held previously, this was an experiment tried out by some enthusiastic wind surfers of the past. Hats off to Tilak Weerasinghe who put in all effort possible to make this event a success. He along with Shehan Pilapitiya ,an experienced adventure seeker, left no stone un-turned to see that everything was at the right place. They had made several trips to Dambulla to put the final touches and make this mega event a success.

Minister of Central Region Development Tissa Attanayake saw his dream fulfilled. It was his idea to make use of all the reservoirs in the island to conduct water sports so that many more tourists could be attracted to Sri Lanka. He had the fullest cooperation from the Minister of Tourism Gamini Lokuge and his colleague MPs of the district. The foundation was laid and the experiment was a success. Now get hold of some enthusiastic village lads interested in windsurfing.

Now to the proceedings of the day. It was a hive of activity with training programs being planned for beginners who were interested in learning all aspects of water sports, like canoeing, kayaking, water skiing, wind surfing and many more. Top class trainers from the International Diving School of Hikkaduwa led by its instructor R.K. Somadasa de Silva were there ever willing to teach. There was good response with students from a school in Dambulla in their school attire and many others listening with rapt attention.

Making inquiries of the participation the media were told over 35 participants had entered the fray inclusive of the best wind surfers of Sri Lanka. The scheduled wind surfing event was preceded by a canoe race where ten canoes comprising, two on each, was worked off.

The planned wind surfing events which were scheduled to start at 1.30 P.M. was brought forward by one hour with the winds being ideal and the organizers waiting impatiently to get going. The race was to be run in a circular pattern with each event consisting of two rounds. The circular when completed was equal to four and a half kilometers. The participants started off when the three officials Tilak Weerasinghe, Shehan Pilapitiya and Neville Weerawansa give the signal by holding the coloured flags.

When the race got going the 15 participants had a whale of a time, controlling their sails with fluctuating winds. It was a new experience for them and they enjoyed to their hearts delight though falling in between the efforts. The three officials Tilak, Shehan and Neville were there right behind them to save them from any mishap. The first to finish round one was Priyantha Gunawardena, brother of well known windsurfer Thushal Gunawardena and one of the favourites to win the race, was the first to finish the first round, followed by Upul Priyantha de Silva who was the winner at the recently held Bentota event and T.H. Kosala.

With these three having a close tussle Kosala took the lead midway in the second round and kept it up till the finish to reach the winning line. The effort took him 16 minutes to complete. He was followed by Priyantha Gunawardena and Upul Priyantha de Silva. Kosala after his win was a happy man and said, " I am proud to be the first winner in this first ever event conducted in a reservoir tank". He was participating after a lapse of three years as he was employed in Dubai. He said he did not have any practice for the championship.

Kosala went on to win the second race too but this time Upul Priyantha de Silva came in second followed by Priyantha Gunawardena. But Priyantha Gunawardena took the third race pushing Kosala into second place followed by Chatura Gunawardena. Upul Priyantha was able only to secure fifth place. T.H. Kosala was adjudged the best windsurfer winning the Midsummer Wind surfing Championship and a cash award of Rs. 10,000. Second was Priyantha Gunawardena who received a cash award of Rs. 7,500 with Upul Priyantha de Silva third who received a cash award of Rs. 5,000. The award for the up-and-coming windsurfer went to young Chatura Gunawardena.

Oh! to be in Dambulla
Annesley Ferreira reporting from Dambulla
Whoever thought that wind surfing could be held at the Ibbankatuwa Reservoir. Well the organizers proved that an event of this nature could be held successfully and the result of it was the staging of the inaugural mid-summer Wind Surfing Championships at Ibbankatuwa. There was gusts of wind and all participants reveled in it producing high quality wind surfing.

The Gunawardenas, all sons of a fisherman, took the first six places. A highly delighted Baron de Livera, President of the Wind surfing Association and Tilak Weerasinghe, Secretary of Lanka Sportreizen speaking to The Sunday Times said that the event was a great success beyond expectations.

To have an event of this nature in a reservoir augurs well for the sport which was conducted by the Ministry of Tourism, who are heavily involved in introducing water sports in a big way to Sri Lanka.

With the English Cricket team due here in October the second race is bound to be a big draw at Dambulla. The Gunawardenes headed by a National Windsurfing champ Thushal Gunawardene and his brothers, Priyantha, Lalin, and Upul showed what wind surfing is to the residents of Dambulla. Thushal is now a professional coach in Seychelles. This championship was also supported by Mahaweli Authorities and the Ceylon Tourist Board.

Joe-Pete Rugby contest under lights Peterites have the edge
By Bernie Wijesekera
The much look forward to traditional rugby match between the 'Saints' will kick off on July 26, at Longdon Place for the Fr. Basil Weeratunga Trophy. St. Peter's are in the forefront in this contest. They have produced some great players, who went on to don the Lankan jersey.

The likes of late Argo Paiva, the legendary fly-half, who paired off with Mahes Rodrigo, for the CR&FC, Didacus de Almeida, Darrel Wimalaratne, brothers Hemish and Rodney Paternott, Ronnie Gunaratne, Frank Hubert just to name a few. The Josephians for the first time won the trophy under late Shiraz Fernando in 1968.

When it comes to rugby one can't forget the services rendered by late Archibald Perera, one of the finest readers of the game. As a coach he has produced some of the best players at national level. He served from the base to promote this noble and beautiful sport for the right reasons.

Kenneth de Zilwa, the Chairman of Josephian rugby committee said, that they are striving to revive the sport with a concerted team effort. There is talent. We are starting afresh at grassroots level. Nazim Mohamed has been assigned to coach. Kenneth was a tough prop forward who played with distinction for the Joes and later for CH&FC. He has a diehard committee who are totally committed to serve the game.

Dr. Dilum Jayasekera who played as a centre-three quarter for the Darley Road School is in the scrum again. He is the Doctor-in-attendance, on and off the field.
Plans are afoot to play the Joe-Pete under lights with the support given by the CR&FC hierarchy. Kenneth said, he was confident of making it a reality.

The Joes too have produced players of the calibre of late Dr. Hubert Aloysius, Anton Benedict, Lalith Perera, Russel Baptist, Tyrone Holdenbottle Dr. Gamini Gunatilleke, etc. At present Bopearachchi, Dinuk Wijeratne and many others are playing with much success in the club circuit. They have donned the blue and white jersey and maintained its dignity and the spirit of the game at all times, said de Zilwa.

The team is being led by Rukshan Gunawardena, hard-running centre/winger. Hardy prop forward Chamath Munasinghe is the deputy. Besides these three other promising players in 35-member squad of 35 - namely Danushka Perera (No. 8), Jason Perera who could fit in as a half back or centre three-quarter and Dinuka Rajapakse, a dependable fullback.

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