President felicitates medal winners of 2018 Junior Asian Athletics Championships

• President promises to provide sponsorships for the progress of sports

The medal winners of the 2018 Junior Asian Athletics Championship held in Gifu, Japan, met with President Maithripala Sirisena at the President’s office on Friday.

The Sri Lankan medal winners were successful in winning 3 gold medals, 4 silver medals, and 2 bronze medals while the President, who appreciated their talents, offered them best wishes for their sports careers in the future.

President Sirisena mentioned that the Government will provide every facility to encourage the winners for their future career in sports and for the progress of the field of sports.

Meanwhile, several private organisations have stepped forward to contribute in the nourishment of the medal winners and providing other facilities.

President Sirisena paid attention to the appeal and promised to grant tax reliefs to the organisations that are sponsoring sports, based on the sponsorship that is made, and said that steps will be taken to provide tax relief after discussing with the Cabinet of Ministers.

It was stated that the motive should be to win a medal for the country in Olympics in 2020 and 2024.  President Sirisena mentioned that felicitation given to the sportsmen and sportswomen would encourage others to joins athletics and add enthusiasm for sports in the country.

The medal winners in the 2018 Junior Asian Athletics Championships, S. Aruna Dharshana of  Akuramboda Weera  Keppetipola Central College, G.M.G.L Kodikara of Maliyadewa College Kurunegala, K.P.T.R. Ravishka Indrajit of  St/Benedict’s College Colombo, G.D.K.K. Pabasara of Nalanda College Colombo, Parami Wathsala Marstella of Kuliyapitiya Central College, K.G. Dilshi Kumarasighe of Walala A/Rathnayake Central College, Amasha De Silva of Swarnamali Girl’s College Kandy, Sachini Tharaka Divyanjali of Lyceum International School Wattala, and Rumesha Ishara Aththidiya of  Lyceum International School Nugegoda were present in this event.

Minister Faiszer Mustapha and other officials of the Ministry of Sports, parents of the medal winners, principals, and coaches were present in this event.