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| Sunday, 24 April 2005 |
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An adventurer's tribute to the tsunami victims : Swimming across the Palk Strait by Vimukthi Fernando To swim like a fish. The phrase is a cliche for all of us. But, Saman Udugamasuriya strives to be just that. Preparing to swim 22 kilometres in eight hours or less facing the perils of the large fish, rocks and currants he is all set to cross the Palk Strait between Talaimanar and Rameshwaram, India and establish a record, not for himself but in memory of those who lost their lives due to the tsunami.
Though many attempted and crossed the Palk Strait in the past three decades including Kumar Ananda known for his record- breaking attempts at various adventurous sports, they failed to get their names recorded in the Guiness Book. The only mention of a Palk Strait record in the Guiness book of the 20th Century, is of an Indian, Mihir Sen from Calcutta who crossed the Palk Strait on April 5 and 6, 1966 in 25 hours and 36 minutes. Udugamasuriya, an ex Army Corporal had been interested in adventure from his childhood. As a student of Elpitiya Ananda Maha Vidyalaya, he had participated in all the athletic events. Though, adjudged a champion at the school and district levels, his thirst for adventure could not be quenched. "Though I was interested in carrying out adventurous activities, nobody helped me or encouraged me because they were mortally scared," he says. Joining the army in 1990 paved the way for his inherent skills to blossom. "I was posted in operation areas for six to eight years. In the army I had more opportunity to train myself, and prepare for the various competitions. It was Gen. Srilal Weerasooriya who spotted me out at the training. He always supported and encouraged me," Udugamasuriya reminiscences gratefully. That was the first step to a very satisfying involvement in sports as well as adventurous events. Udugamasuriya has many a feat to his credit including running around the islands seashore, swimming across waterbodies and crossing the Hummanaya, the geyser in the South. Involved in motor racing, he had also trained in rock climbing and had requested permission to climb World's End from Balangoda side using ropes, but had not been granted permission to do so. Further, he plans to use the same technique to cross all the waterfalls in Sri Lanka in honour of a friend who succumbed to efforts of accomplishing the same task. However, "I would try to employ both modern techniques and technology in carrying out the projects which were not available for my friend," says Udugamasuriya. However, he finds financial constraints a great obstacle in his path. "In Sri Lanka, there are only a handful of trained athletes, willing to get involved in adventurous sports. But, it is very hard to do so because there are only one or two sponsors, if ever, willing to help us out," he complains. Having no sponsorship does not deter Udugamasuriya's spirits. He is determined to reach his goal. Unemployed, after leaving the active armed service he is dependent on his parents. "It is the support from my family and friends that sustains me. I train myself very hard, because I do not want to disappoint them," he says. Udugamasuriya's rigorous schedule includes eight hours of daily physical training, taken in two four hour slots morning and evening. With the 'swim' round the corner, most of his time is spent in the water on endurance and strength training, says Udugamasuriya. With a potpourri of adventure, what was the most satisfying of all his experiences the Sunday Observer asked Udugamasuriya. "The run along the coast of Sri Lanka, without a doubt. There I managed to brave areas where no one had set foot before - the forest and the animals. The hospitality extended by the coastal residents from all the ethnic communities, whether they be Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim or any other was overwhelming. Though I could not complete the run due to LTTE objection, what I realised from the experience is that there is no need for ethnic divisions. I'm looking forward to the day that all the ethnic groups could come under one identity as Sri Lankans," says Udugamasuriya.
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| Produced by Lake House |
"I have scheduled the swim for April 26, four months after the tsunami. I
want to show the Sri Lankan community the friendliness and regenerative
powers of the sea as against the destruction it caused in our lives on that
fateful day," says Udugamasuriya, the brave thrill-seeker from the South. He
wants the event to be included in Guiness Records as crossing the Palk
Strait in record time. 
