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Friday Nov 15, 2024
Saturday, 13 August 2016 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala and Johan Peiris Mountaineers sharing their Mount Everest Summit Expedition experiences during an interactive session organised by Fairway Holdings at Sky Garden, Rajagiriya on 4 August
Jayanthi, Johan and Chairman of Flyway Sky Garden
In the early hours of 21 May, yet another climber followed in the footsteps of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay to reach the summit of the famed Mount Everest. What made this climb special was that the climber, Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala, was the first of her nation to reach the peak of the world’s tallest mountain.
Located in the Mahalangur mountain range in Nepal and Tibet, the peak rises over 8,848 meters (29,029 ft) above sea level and has been the final resting place of many a number of mountaineers. However, the bitter cold and the threat of danger did not stop Jayanthi and her partner, Johann Peiris from taking on the challenge and accomplishing what has been a childhood dream for them both. Unfortunately a lack of oxygen forced Johann to halt his climb just before reaching the summit.
Reaching the top Jayanthi proudly raised the Sri Lankan National Flag and also exhibited the flag of the expedition’s summit sponsor, Fairway Holdings Ltd.
The two received a hero’s welcome when they returned to Sri Lanka and were presented with commemorative medals by Fairway Holdings as the entire nation joined in the celebrations.
Recently the senior management and staff of Fairway Holdings organised a special commemorative ceremony for the daring duo. No seat was left occupied as Jayanthi and Johann entered the room, as everyone was on their feet to welcome and applaud the conquerors of Everest.
During her speech, Jayanthi took a leaf out of Sir Edmund Hillary’s book stating, “It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves” as she described the experience she and Johann will always treasure.
“It’s a matter of mental strength over physical strength and a good deal of solid teamwork. It’s important that you believe in yourself and keep that passion alive, even in the most testing conditions. Many people say, ‘seeing is believing’ but in our case it became, believing is seeing!”
- Pix by Gitika Talukdar
