Published on - 11/15/2002
Sri Lanka Army\'s disabled athletes, who excelled in the Asian Pacific Games held in Busan, Korea returned to Sri Lanka recently to a rousing welcome accorded by senior officials of the Sports Ministry and the National Federation of Disabled Sports of Sri Lanka. The Asian Pacific Games was held from October 26-November 1, 2002.
The 33-strong contingent of differently able sportsmen and women, majority of who were from the Army participated in six sports events where Sri Lanka finished 9th place out of 45 countries. The Sri Lankan team as a whole won 25 medals including five gold medals, eight silver medals and twelve bronze medals.
President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga congratulated the athletes who won medals at this Asian Pacific Games.
Having won the highest number of medals for Sri Lanka in any international games, these athletes were able to make a couple of new records. Chaminda Priyadharshana, the differently- able Army swimmer on 'below the knee category' carried away the highest number of gold medals, three in this meet ( 100 back stroke, 50m back stroke and 100 m free style). Priyadharshana who is also the Captain of the Sri Lankan team brought honour to his motherland but barely missed one medal in the 200 m mixed style.
The 32 year old Army Corporal S. A. Shantha Kumara became the highest medal winner with five medals including two gold and was also the only record holder in the tour party who established a new 800 m record of one minute and 59 seconds. This Army Corporal who attended the games as his first international experience was satisfied with what he received in his maiden meet.
