‘Colours’ Awarded to Army Achievers in Dignified Ceremony at Nelum Pokuna

One more most enthusiastic and prestigious project of the Sri Lanka Army, ‘Colours Night - 2016’ that recognizes and acclaims exceptional skills of Army sportsmen and women, glittered in the Nelum Pokuna auditorium Friday (27) evening in the presence of a gathering of distinguished invitees, including the Minister of Sports, Defence Secretary, Secretary to State Ministry of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, Commander of the Army, Commander of the Navy and Commander of the Air Force.

A representative group of those Army sportsmen and women who excelled at formation, inter-regiment, regimental, defence services, national and international levels in the years 2015 & 2016, received laurels and were felicitated during the mammoth and colourful ceremony that included a variety of cultural feats of high standards.

During the ceremony at Nelum Pokuna, a selected representative crowd of 100 achievers who have earned Gold, Silver and Bronze medals representing 34 fields of sports, received laurels and the remainder is to be distributed later at regimental level ‘Colours Nights’.

During the first leg of the awarding ceremony, Best Para Sportsman, Best Sportsman and Best Sportswoman in the years 2015 and 2016 were awarded laurels and cash awards of Rs. 1 million each by the day’s Chief Guest, Hon. Minister of Sports Dayasiri Jayasekera (MP) after he was accompanied by the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva to the stage.

Afterwards, two athletes, Mrs Susanthika Jayasinghe and Warrant Officer II, U.P Pradeep Sanjaya invited to the stage were presented with laurels in recognition of their outstanding performances in athletics. Cash awards of Rs. 5 lakhs each were awarded to Mrs Susanthika Jayasinghe and Warrant Officer II, U.P Pradeep Sanjaya.

Lighting of the traditional oil lamp, observance of a two-minute silence in honour of fallen War Heroes, recital of the Army song, followed by eye-catching entertaining cultural and dancing feats, coloured the evening and added a flavour of magnificence and dignity.

The day’s Chief Guest, together with the Commander of the Army posed for a group photograph with best achievers before the Minister of Sports, got off from the stage.

The same ceremony saw the renowned Sri Lankan cricketer, Warrant Officer II S. Prasanna and Corporal M.P Pathirana hailed on the occasion as the Best Sportsman (2016/2015) and Private I.E Senanayake, Corporal N.G Rajasekera awarded as the Best Sportswoman (2016/2015) respectively while the Sergeant H.M.D.P Herath and Sergeant Y.P.A.P Jayalath were awarded Colours for their multiple skills in Para Sports events, both at home and abroad.

The ceremony covered award of colours to those excelled in Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Billiard & Snooker, Carrom, Boxing, Cricket, Cycling, Elle, Gymnastics, Netball, Para Games, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Kabadi, Karate, Motor Sports, Weight-Lifting, Power-Lifting and Body Building, Rowing, Shooting, Soccer, Squash, Swimming & Water Polo, Parachuting, Rugby Football, Tennis, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Wrestling, Wushu and Volleyball.

Secretary to Ministry of Defence, Secretary to State Ministry of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army also joined in to award Colours to the achievers.

Director General Sports, Sports Ministry officials, senior Army officers and spouses, retired senior officers, relatives of laureates, sportsmen/women and a large gathering of distinguished invitees were present in the event.

The achievers are as follows;

In year 2015

In year 2016