Asoka Gunatilleke back in the saddle

Veteran Sinhala sports journalist Asoka Gunatilleke on Friday launched his fifth book titled Palamuveniya "The First" at the Institute of Sports Sciences at Torrington Square in Colombo.

The book chronicles Sri Lanka's achievements over a period of time highlighting unique feats recorded by Olympians Duncan White and Susanthika Jayasinghe along with cricketers Arjuna Ranatunga, Muttiah Muralideran and Kumar Sangakkara among others.

Experts contend the book is a "must-read" one.

Gunatilleke counts 37 years in sports journalism in the country and is credited with revolutionizing the Sinhala sports media that eventually led to him winning the Olympic Award for Sports Journalism in 2004.

He has also covered six successive Olympic Games and became a leader in the technicalities of sports of Olympic sports. The turning point in Gunatilleke's career came when he became the founder sports editor of the Divaina Sinhala daily in 1982 where he brought a new meaning to sports journalism in the country giving it a vibrant push though his style and contacts.