SLIIT’s swimmer Galina shines at Hangzhou Asian Para Games
In an outstanding display of talent and perseverance, Galina Basnayake, a second-year student in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), brought honour to Sri Lanka by securing a silver medal in the Women’s 400m Freestyle S9 category at the 4th Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China. This remarkable achievement not only highlights her exceptional capabilities but also reflects on SLIIT’s commitment to fostering excellence beyond academics.
Galina’s journey to sporting glory began at a young age, and in 2021, she made waves by securing three gold medals and a silver at the Asian Youth Para Games in Bahrain. Her excellence extended across various events, with gold medals in the 50m Freestyle S9, 100m Freestyle S9, and 400m Freestyle S9 categories, along with a silver medal in the 100m Butterfly S9 event. Galina is under the guidance of renowned swimmer Julian Bolling.
Galina shared her thoughts on the achievment as, “Swimming isn’t just about reaching the finishing line, nor is it just a sport; it is a journey of ups and downs, hard times, and good times, resilence and determination. Enjoy every bit of it, not just the success. It’s like savouring all the flavours of your journey, just like you do with your victories. And remember, find the right balance between academics and sport. SLIIT has greatly supported in helping me navigate the challenges of being a student-athlete and helping me maintain a healthy equilibrium, recognise this balance and maintain it. It is not easy, but it is not impossible.”
Prof. Lalith Gamage, the Vice Chancellor of SLIIT, conveyed his warmest congratulations to Galina, stating, “Galina’s exceptional performance in the 4th Asian Para Games is a testament to her dedication and remarkable talent. Her achievements not only make us proud but also reflect SLIIT’s commitment to nurturing well-rounded individuals who excel in both academics and sports. Galina is an inspiration to all our students, and we eagerly anticipate her continued success, which will undoubtedly bring further glory to SLIIT and above, our country.”
At the 4th Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, Galina Basnayake’s performance in the Women’s 400m Freestyle S9 category, culminating in a silver medal with a final time of 5 minutes and 18.28 seconds, is a moment of great pride for her, her family, friends, SLIIT, and our entire nation. This achievement marks a significant milestone for Sri Lanka as it represents the country’s first swimming medal since 2010.
The Chancellor of SLIIT, Prof. Lakshman Ratnayake, emphasised the significance of Galina’s achievement and its broader impact, saying, “We congratulate Galina’s remarkable feat. Her achievement highlights her hard work and efforts while also showcasing our commitment to balancing studies while focusing on extracurriculars. Her achievements serve as a reminder that SLIIT is not just a centre for academic excellence but also a place where dreams are nurtured and transformed into reality. We are immensely proud of her accomplishments and look forward to seeing her shine even brighter in the future.”
Her recent triumph at the 84th annual 2-mile Sea Swim Championships in Sri Lanka, where she was crowned the overall girls champion, further exemplifies her exceptional skills and ability to shine on the world stage.