24th April 2018 06:00:31 Hours
Sri Lanka Army-produced world-class, boxer Lance Corporal Ishan Bandara of the Corps of Engineer Services (CES), who made the Army and the country proud by winning a Bronze medal in the Men’s 52 kg Boxing semi-finals at the recent 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia heaped praise on his able coach,Warrant Officer I Sampath Jayathilake and all his mentors, including the Army which spent millions for him when he was met by Major General Rukmal Dias, Chairman, Sri Lanka Army Boxing Committee.
Lance Corporal Bandara during the encounters in Gold Coast almost knocked out his Indian rival in a convincing manner, although he could not secure a Silver or go for a Gold. The Army has so far spent more than Rs 3 m for training of this talented Army boxer in Uzbekistan, Netherlands, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Poland and Finland with the blessings of the Commander of the Army and the Chairman, Sri Lanka Army Boxing Committee since the year 2010.
The Boxer further maintained that the Sri Lanka Army with the support of the Army Boxing Coach, has provided much-needed regular training in Boxing in order to elevate him to international standards. Lance Corporal Bandara also pays his tribute to Colonel Commandant, Corps of Engineer Services for allocation of adequate time for him to undergo extensive training. Support given to him by his own brother and the family is remembered with gratitude, the boxer was quoted saying.
On hearing his achievement, the Commander of the Army conveyed his compliments and assured him of all the support in future too.
This was the first time the Sri Lanka Army won Bronze in an internationally-recognized event of this nature, bringing credit to the organization. He is to be shortly lauded in separate occasions by his peers.
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