Sri Lanka Navy canoe sprint team won the runner-up title in the open men’s event at the 07th National Canoe Sprint Championship – 2023 held from 30th November to 02ndDecember at Diyawanna Lake, Battaramulla. The final day of the championship was graced by Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, as the Chief Guest.
Twelve (12) teams including the Sri Lanka Army, Navy, Air Force, Adventure Seals, Bolgoda Lake Rowing Club, Diyawanna Water Sports Club, MAKVONS Canoe and Kayak Club and Lanka Adventure teams as well as school teams from Jade High School, Asian International School, Gateway College, Colombo and Universal College Lanka participated in the tournament.
Exhibiting spirited performance in the tournament, Able Seaman HMAD Gunathilaka won gold medals in 200/500/1000m Open Men’s K – 01 events. Meanwhile, Able Infantryman KK Viraj who competed in the 500m Open Men’s K-01 event, won a bronze medal, while Petty Officer AKSS Jayawardene and Engineering Mechanic HEMNGGB Ekanayake won gold medals in the 500/1000m Open Men’s K-02 events.
Moreover, Petty Officer AKSS Jayawardene, Petty Officer JC Jayasinghe, Leading Seaman DMDS Bandara and Lieutenant LBDN Dayananda who competed in the 200/1000m Open Men’s K-04 events won silver medals. Also, Petty Officer AKSS Jayawardene, Petty Officer JC Jayasinghe, Leading Seaman DMDS Bandara andEngineering Mechanic HEMNGGB Ekanayake won gold medals in the 1000m Open Men’s K-04 events.
In addition, Able Seaman BMCD Basnayake and Able Seaman RMSR Rathnayake, competed in 200/500/1000m Open Men’s C – 02 events, won silver medals for the Navy.
Among the attendees who witnessed the exciting events were Director General of Sports Sri Lanka, Rear Admiral Shemal Fernando (Retd),Commander Southern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Chinthaka Kumarasinghe, Director General Civil Engineering, Rear Admiral Hiran Balasooriya as well as athletes from canoe sprint clubs.