Army Para-Athletic Medallists felicitated
Sri Lanka Army felicitated all five Army personnel who did the organisation proud in the recent 13th Asian Para Games in South Korea by showering them with promotions, cash gifts and many other incentives during a special ceremony, held at the Army Headquarters recently.
Corporal Anil Prasanna Jayalath of Commando Regiment won a Gold in 200m (T42) event, two Silver Medals in the Men’s 100m (T42) and the Men’s Long Jump (T42/44), Staff Sergeant Pradeep Sanjaya of Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment (SLSR) won a Silver and a Bronze in the Men’s 800m (T46) and in the Men’s 400m (T47) respectively.
Four more Bronze Medals were won by Lance Corporal A.G.U.I Chuladasa of SLSR (two medals) in Men’s 100m (T42) and 200m (T42), Lance Corporal P.H.L Dharmasiri of SLSR (one medal) in Men’s 400m (T44) and Corporal S.S Kumara of Sri Lanka Light Infantry (one medal) in Men’s Discus Throw (F44).
These proud athletes now stand high in the international sports arena. A sporting Army Commander hailing the achievements of the Paraathletes during a special ceremony announced that those achievers would be promoted to their next rank immediately and huge cash prizes to be awarded. Their coaches were too not forgotten and they too will be awarded with cash prizes.
The 13th Asian Para Games, held at Asiad Main Stadium in South Korea, saw Sri Lanka finishing the game with 14 Medals in the 19th position in the Medals tally, the highest number of Medals ever won by Sri Lanka in Para events.
Their talented coaches, Messrs Jansz Dissanayake, M.J.P Rohitha Fernando, S.P.S.P Vithana and Warrant Officer-II, W.S Jayakody too were gifted with cash prizes during the same ceremony.
Gold Medalist, Corporal Anil Prasanna Jayalath, the War Hero of the Commando Regiment, sustained serious injuries in a mortar attack in February 2009 as the internal strife was reaching its final stage in Puthukkudiyirippu area, making him disable below the right knee.
Staff Sergeant Pradeep Sanjaya in the last year also secured a Silver medal in the Para Olympics in the 400 m event.