New group of 27 school shooting instructors trained and appointed

A group of 27 shooters emerged from Sri Lanka Schools to the national level and then the international level, were identified as Student Instructors for the purpose of providing basic training for aspiring youth shooters and to assist in Range Administrational matters of the Sri Lanka Schools Shooting Sports Association (SLSSSA).

These shooters were top performers at schools shooting competitions, while some of them who rose to fame as leading marksmen and markswomen. Most of the participants were national level competitors even at schools stage, representing the SLSSSA team at National Championships.

The new batch was trained after gathering practical and theoretical knowledge in the field of Air Rifle and Air Pistol Shooting, these Student Instructors were elevated as appointments of Senior Student Instructors. Interestingly they were trained by the initial batch of former school shooters who were part of the founding members of the Academic Air Arms Association (AAAA), which was formed under the affiliation with SLSSSA as the operational backing arm in coaching, judging, range administration and only former school level shooters were enlisted as its members.

Even after four years, the eagerness to learn and impart knowledge of these shooters were impressive. With the tireless efforts and support from these Senior Student Instructors, they have been elevated with appointments as Coaches, Assistant Coaches (Air Rifle and Air Pistol Shooting) of SLSSSA and AAAA.

Prasnna Udumuhandiram (President of SLSSSA and Principal of D.S. Senanayake College), Maj. Gen. Sudath Perera (Director Security of Sri Lanka Ports Authority), Capt. Harsha Weerasuriya (Technical Adviser/ISSF Coach/Judge) and Group Capt. Dharaka Dias (Technical Adviser) graced the occasion of the final training sessions and the certificate awarding ceremony held at the Security Training School of Sri Lanka Ports Authority.