Rajapaksa passion for sports...
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A sport loving family... (from left) Rohitha, Yoshitha,
President Mahinda Rajapaksa, First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa
and Namal |
The President’s family too has a passion for sport. President
Rajapaksa has been a versatile athlete during his day and later played a
key role as a President of the national bodies for athletics and elle.
As the President of the Athletic Association of Sri Lanka (AASL) in
1997, the President played a key role to have star woman sprinter
Susanthika Jayasinghe exonerated of doping charges on medical evidence.
The revival of Sri Lanka athletics, which ultimately gave Sri Lanka
an Olympic medal after 52 years (in 2000 Sydney Games) began when
President Rajapaksa was heading the local athletic governing body. The
First Lady, Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa had served as a President of the
Netball Federation of Sri Lanka. She made an immense contribution
towards the promotion of netball.
Their three sons - Namal, Yoshitha and Rohitha, excelled in rugby
football. All three went on to lead S.Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia.In
fact, the three lads played in the same team - the ‘pack’, for S.Thomas’
College 1st XV team in 2005, which could well be a record.. The eldest
of the three, Namal - the founder President of Tharunyata Hetak Youth
Movement, went on to captain Sri Lanka Under-19 team with distinction
while his younger brothers too went on to represent Sri Lanka Youth
team.
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