Shehan Ambepitiya 3 Golds at Junior SAG

By Panchamee Hewavissenti

JUNIOR SAG: 17-year-old, Shehan Ambepitiya who led the Sri Lankan team, bagged three gold medals in 100m, 200m, and 4x100 metres relay under 20 age category in Junior South Asian Games recently. He has been identified as the fastest runner in the South Asian region.

He was the first athlete in Sri Lanka under this category to finish his events 100m in 10.69 seconds and 200m in 21.93 seconds. Moreover, he was fortunate enough to be selected as the only Sri Lankan for the Czechoslovakian World Junior Athletic Games last year. He was ranked 21 in the world in the 100 m event.

"I am not coming from an English speaking family, but now I have got the chance to associate with the English speaking crowd" said Shehan Ambepitiya who was recently crowned as the Junior Athlete in the South Asian region.

He also said "Teachers at Gateway International School are very helpful in conducting my studies in the English medium and they are very dedicated. I would like to mention here that Mr. Alles was a great help to me in balancing sports and education at school."

This fastest sprinter in the South Asian region hopes to bag the gold medal in the Junior Asian Games this year.

"I was studying at President's College Rajagiriya before I entered Gateway International College. There was a reason for me to change my school. Mr. Sunil Gunawardene said since I have to take part in many international events, I should be able to converse in English and should possess a sound educational background".

This fine sprinter bagged 3 gold medals, while his mother was undergoing kidney surgery in hospital.

The team leader for Sri Lanka had the courage and determination to win gold medals in all three events he participated took part in.

He fulfilled not only his mother's wish, but that of many Sri Lankans too.

"My mother was admitted to hospital the day before the sports meet. She was hardly able to express a few words to wish me all the best." He said with an utmost love for his mother.

This sprinter has many problems on hand faced a pathetic situation because his mother's illness. The monthly income they receive from his father's boutiques is not sufficient for Shehan's expenses. And above all, they have to struggle to save the mother's life.