Athletics: Matthew Abeysinghe bags the Presidential Sports award

Swimmer Matthew Abeysinghe was the cynosure of all eyes as he was crowned Sports Star at the Presidential Sports Awards 2016 held at the BMICH on Friday (19). 

He also won the Most Outstanding Sportsman of the year for his outstanding performances at the South Asian Games 2016 India where he won a record seven gold, two silver and one bronze medal. 

Marathoner Anuradha Indrajith Cooray and Sri Lanka’s only internationally acclaimed motor racing star Dilantha Malagamuwa were the other two nominees for the award. 

Women’s 800m runner Nimali Liyanarachchi was adjudged the Most Outstanding Woman athlete beating women’s marathoner Geethani Rajasekera and weightlifter Dinusha Gomes.
 
Dinesh Prasanna Herath and Amara Indumathi were adjudged Most Outstanding Differently Abled Sportsman and woman respectively. 

The Most Outstanding Junior Player awards were won by LP Dhananjya (athletics) and Kimiko Raheem (swimming) in the men’s and women’s category respectively. 

Santhush Weerasinghe (athletics) was named the most outstanding young sportsman of the year while Harshika Wijeyabaskara (weightlifting) won the women’s award. 

Swimming coach Manoj Abeysinghe was named the best coach of the year. 

Late Dervin Perera, Yogananda Wijesundara, KLF Wijedasa, Dr. Maj. Gen. C Thurairaja, KG Badara, Summa Navaratnam and Ranjith Weerasena were decorated with Kreeda Ratna lifetime award for their contribution for the sports. 

Over 175 sportsmen and women were presented awards in 15 categories. President Maithripala Sirisena was the chief guest.