18th July 2023 11:29:02 Hours
The return of the Sri Lankan team of 13 athletes, inclusive of 8 Army athletes who showcased excellent performance and record breaking sportsmanship in the just-concluded Asian Athletics Championship (AAC) in Bangkok, Thailand on Monday (17 July) evening was warmly welcomed at Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport.
Major General R.A.J.N Ranasinghe RSP USP, Chairman of Sri Lanka Army Athletics Committee and General Officer Commanding, 62 Infantry Division, Brigadier V.M.N Hettiarachchi RWP RSP, Vice Chairman, Sri Lanka Army Athletics Committee and Commander, Commando Brigade, Colonel H.M.S.P.S De Silva RSP USP, Colonel Sports, Lieutenant Colonel G.R.R.K.S Jayarathne RSP psc IG, Secretary, Army Athletics Committee, Rear Admiral Shemal Fernando (Rtd), Director of the Sports Ministry, Several Senior Officers from Sri Lanka Air Force and Navy, Officers and Other Ranks of the Army were present there to welcome Army athletes.
The Sri Lankan team for the first time secured the fourth place in the overall championship tally during the tournament at Suphachalasai National Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand held from 12 - 16 July.
During the Championship, Sri Lankan athletes secured 3 Gold, 2 Silver and 3 Bronze Medals in total. Of them, Army athletes contributed to the win of 2 Gold, 2 Silver Medals and 1 Bronze Medal.
Sri Lanka made history winning a Gold medal after absence of 23 years in the AAC. Their achievements set new Asian Athletic Championship records as well as Sri Lankan records.
Army participants were as follows:
Sergeant H.K.K. Kumarage of Sri Lanka Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
Bombardier S.A Darshana of Sri Lanka Artillery
Corporal N Ramanayake of Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps
Corporal H.L.N.D Lekamge of Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps
Lance Bombardier P.M.P.L Kodikara of Sri Lanka Artillery
Lance Corporal R.M.R.N Rajakaruna of Sri Lanka Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
Gunner G.D.K.K Niku of Sri Lanka Artillery
Private V.R.H Cooray of Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps
