Devinka Gunatilake - a young champion

SWIMMING: At the tender age of five, in 1996, Devinka Gunatilake took to water like a fish and has shone as bright as the sun with one determination, to be a winner, and a champion. She had an ambition - it was to represent her country at the age of 16 years.

She started her swimming career under the guidance of Philip Amerasinghe, in the year 2000, Devinka started training under former Sri Lanka swimming coach E.G.A. Wilson, who has contributed immensely towards fulfilling her ambition.

With this foundation, Devinka established many records at school level, public schools, and national level. In 2004, she represented Sri Lanka at the 9th SAF Games in Islamabad at the age of 13 years. It was a dream come true for the little star.

The opportunities opened up further when Devinka was chosen to represent Sri Lanka at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in 2006. The confidence gained allowed her to win Silver Medals in 2006 at the 10th SAF Games in Colombo.

With this achievement, little Devinka who had a dream of representing the country at 16 years, superseded her ambition at the age of 13 years. She continues her training with one objective in mind, to represent the country at Olympic Games.

Devinka was adjudged the champion swimmer (women) at the recently concluded 34th National Sports Festival held at Beliatta from 9th to 12th July.

She established two new meet records in the 100 metres and 200 metres free style event and also came first in the 50 meters butterfly stroke. Devinka is a student at Asian International School in London Advanced Level, reading for a course in Business Studies.