President presents golden awards to Sri Lankan Olympic athletes

A felicitation ceremony to present golden awards to athletes who represented Sri Lanka at the Olympic Games from 1948 was held on 24 July at the President’s House, under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena.

This was organised by the Ministry of Sports and the Sri Lanka Olympic Association, in line with the golden jubilee celebration of the Sports Ministry. Forty-one Sri Lankan athletes were handed golden awards by the President at this occasion.

The President expressed his satisfaction over the opportunity he got to commend the athletes who had earned a global reputation and honoured Sri Lanka.

“Commending the men and women of skill is an honour offered to them. It is also a task performed for the betterment of the nation,” the President said. He pointed out the importance of initiating a comprehensive program to make use of Sri Lankan athletes’ knowledge and experience to guide the next generation. 

He emphasised that the Government would take every action for the welfare of all these athletes.

The President made a donation of Rs. 500,000 to Sri Lanka Olympians at this occasion. Chairman of Sri Lanka Olympians Sriyani Kulawansha said Sri Lankan Olympic athletes did not have much of an opportunity before. 

Ministers Dayasiri Jayasekara and S.B. Dissanayake, Western Province Chief Minister Isura Dewapriya, Provincial Sports Ministers, Secretary to the Ministry of Sports R.B. Dissanayake, Secretary to Sri Lanka Olympians Damayanthi Darsha and Sugath Thilakarathne were among those present at the occasion.