SLAF swimmer to attempt swimming across Palk Straits tomorrow

Leading Aircraftman Roshan Abeysundara of Sri Lanka Air Force is scheduled to attempt a new record by swimming across the Palk Strait tomorrow.

The Indian High Commission in Colombo said that it is happy to facilitate necessary arrangements on the Indian side, and extends best wishes to the ace swimmer for success in his forthcoming endeavour.

Roshan Abeysundara is 32 years old and a product of Matara Central College. An enlisted airman of Sri Lanka Air Force since 2008, he has successfully participated in various Adventure Sea- Swimming expeditions in Sri Lanka. With great determination he successfully completed the Sri Lankan National Swimming record  of 49km in 23hrs on 26 Mar 21.

He would swim across the Palk Strait, from Talaimannar in Sri Lanka to Dhanushkodi in India and back an approximate distance of 60 km. Though 14 swimmers have crossed the Palk Strait to date but this unique feat of swimming back has been undertaken by only one Sri Lankan swimmer Mr. Kumar Anandan in 1971, wherein he took 51 hrs to complete the event.

Demonstrating the close ties shared by the two countries, the event will be flagged off in the presence of Mrs Archana Ramesh, Consul from Consulate General of India, Jaffna and Air Cmde SN Fernandopulle, Director Sports from Sri Lanka Air Force, the Indian High Commission said.

Through this expedition, Abeysundara will spread awareness about the Fit Sri Lanka Movement.