Athletics: Veterans Gerard Fernando and M.S.D. Perera excel

Gerard Fernando and M.S.D. Perera who represented Sri Lanka at the recently concluded 20th Asia Masters' Athletics Championship displayed remarkable talent in the shot putt and hammer throw events. 

Both athletes are officers of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. 

Gerard Fernando excelled in the shot putt event, winning a gold medal and a bronze medal at the hammer throw. 

He was also placed sixth at the discus throw event. 

Perera won a silver medal at the hammer throw event. 

A skilled football player in addition to being an athlete, Gerard won several medals at the 2009 Asia Masters' Athletic Championship in the age 45-50 category with a gold medal in shot putt, bronze at the discus throw and fourth place at the 110metre hurdles event bagging several medals at the 2016 Asia Masters Athletics Championship. 

Gerard was qualified for the final rounds of shot putt and discus throw at the World Masters' Athletics Championship held in Australia in the same year. 

Representing Sri Lanka at several national and international football championships, Gerard currently represents the masters football team of Kotte. 

Perera participated in the 2012 Chinese – Taipei Masters Athletics Championship and the 18th Masters' Athletics Championship held in Japan in 2014. 

He won a bronze medal at the 19th Asia Master' Athletics Championship in the hammer throw event.