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‘Sri Lanka sportsmen and sportswomen are an inspiration to the whole nation’

20 Sep 2022

  • President Wickremesinghe praises players at felicitation for Sri Lankan sports champions 
Sri Lankan sportsmen and women who recently staged excellent performances in Asian tournaments, as well as at the Commonwealth Games, were felicitated in an event jointly organised by the official sponsor of the national cricket and netball teams, Dialog Axiata PLC, along with Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts with the participation of the Presidential Secretariat, the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), and the Netball Federation of Sri Lanka (NFSL).  President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who graced the event as Chief Guest, said Sri Lanka’s sportsmen and sportswomen have brought victory to the nation at a time of need, providing a welcome morale boost for the nation that is currently undergoing countless hardships.  President Wickremesinghe further said: “Sri Lankan Skipper Dasun Shanaka has given an example to the whole country on how to recover from defeat. If he had given up after losing the first match to Afghanistan, Sri Lanka would have never won the Asia Cup (2022); and if the country has the mindset of the Sri Lankan Skipper, the national netball team, and the Commonwealth athletes who competed with the world and won, I think the country can compete successfully not only in Asia, but against the world as well.” The occasion was also graced by Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Roshan Ranasinghe and other officials from the Ministry, SLC President Shammi Silva and officials from SLC, NFSL President Victoria Lakshmi and officials of the federation, along with Dialog Axiata PLC Group Chief Executive Officer Supun Weerasinghe. The national cricket team made history by securing their sixth Asian title by beating Pakistan in the final of the Asia Cup 2022 played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, UAE, while the netball team also secured its sixth Asian title by beating Singapore 63-53, in Singapore at the grand finale of the 2022 Asian Netball Championships. At the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, four Sri Lankan athletes secured medals. Sergeant Palitha Bandara won a silver in the Paralympics discus throw F44/64, while Yupun Abeykoon, the fastest man in Sri Lanka and South Asia won a bronze in the men’s 100 metres event. Dilanka Isuru Kumara (men’s weightlifting 55 kg) and Nethmi Poruthotage (wrestling women’s freestyle 57 kg) each secured bronze medals.  Dialog Axiata is the sponsor of the Sri Lanka national cricket, netball, volleyball, and e-sports teams. The company also has a close association with the President’s Gold Cup Volleyball, National Junior and Senior Netball tourneys, schools rugby, and paralympic sports by powering the Army Para Games, National Para Games, and the Sri Lankan contingent to the World Paralympic Games.  


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