Central Province sportsmen and sportswomen amply rewarded

Sportsmen and sportswomen of the Central Province who secured first, second and third places at the 39th National Games and another set of sportsmen and sportswomen who performed well abroad were also felicitated by the Ministry of Sports Central Province recently a ceremony held at Hindu Cultural Hall, Kandy. Cash worth Rs. 2.5 million was divided between the sportsmen and sportswomen so that they will be encouraged into improved performances in the future too.

Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage - the Chief Minister of Central Province Sarath Ekanayake and the Minister of Sports of Central Province Pramitha Bandara were associated at the distribution of the cash awards.

Thilini Jayasinghe who represented at two successive Olympic Games in Badminton as one of the best sportswomen in the province Rs. 10,000 while Rs. 10,000 also was awarded to G. Madusanka (Boxing), H. Dharmaratne (Hockey), B. Gunaratne (Hockey - Women), J. Wickremage (Judo), U. Ranasinghe (Table Tennis), C. Hulangamuwa (Swimming). Then the latest lot to receive cash awards for the trouble they took to perform well at the 39th National Games held early this year were also adequately felicitated.

J. Wickramage who won a Gold Medal for Judo receives cash award from Sports Minister Mahindanada Aluthgamage. At left is Thilini Jayasinghe, Pramitha Bandara Tennekoon (Minister or Sports Central Province), Sarath Ekanayake – Chief Minister of Central Province) and Upali Alahakoon (Secretary) and K. Nissanka (Director of Sports – Central Province). Pictures by Upananda Jayasundera – Kandy Sports Special Corr.
Veteran Weightlifting coach Athula Wijewickrema (right) receives memento from Chief Minister of Central Province Sarath Ekanayake. Another weightlifting coach S. Dayan in on the left.	Tilini Tennekoon (right) receives her cash award for swimming from Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage.
C.T. Perera (right) receives his cash award from Chief Minister Central Province Sarath Ekanayake.	Dhammika Harischandra (right) receives her cash award from Chief Minister of Central Province – Sarath Ekanayake.