Trinitian Haritha Pilapitiya champion in inaugural PS and HC

Practical Shooting: The International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) of Sri Lanka conducted the Inaugural Practical Shotgun & Handgun Championships (PS and HC) on the 29th & 30th January 2011 at the new Navy Shooting Range at Kirindioya, Tissamaharama in conjunction with the Carlton Super Sports Festival - 2011. The new shooting range with all necessary facilities was constructed within a record time of less than one month by the Sri Lanka Navy.

Large crowds

The Organising Committee was spearheaded by Rear Admiral Ravi Wijeyagooneratne, Commodore Udaya Bandara, Captain Noel Kalubowila and Col Janaka Ritigahapola (Retd) with Sub Lt Yoshitha Rajapaksa, Menaka Liyanage and Capt Sarath de Zoysa (Retd) functioning as the Tournament Director, Tournament Coordinator & Range Master, respectively.

The First Lady Mrs. Shiranthi Wickramasinghe Rajapaksa graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and the awards ceremony was broadcast live on Channel Eye on the 30th January 2011 (Sunday) amidst a very large crowd of sports fans from all parts of the Country, who had gathered there to witness other action packed extreme sports, as well.

This was also the first time that a combined Shotgun & Handgun Tournament was held in Sri Lanka, as per IPSC Rules with 06 Challenging Courses of Fire specially designed by the Range Master to test the accuracy, speed, power, agility, reflexes & fitness of the best shooters from the Armed Forces, Police and Civilian Shooting Clubs.

The current National Handgun Champion, 14 year old Trinity Schoolboy Haritha Pilapitiya of the Hill Country Sport Shooting Club (HCSSC) won the Overall Open Division Carlton Challenge Trophy & Gold Medal, beating all the experienced shooters.

Col Janaka Ritigahapola (Retd) of the Sport Shooting Association (SSA) won the Carlton Challenge Trophy & Gold Medal for the Overall Tournament in Standard Division. The Winners were also presented with complimentary air tickets courtesy Mihin Air to any of its destinations.

The Top Junior Trophy & Gold Medal also went to young Haritha Pilapitiya of HCSSC, whilst the Top Lady and Top Senior Trophies & Gold Medals were won by Cpl. Anusha Prasadika of the Air Force and Capt Sarath de Zoysa (Retd) of the Sport Shooting Association, respectively.

Air Force champs

The Open Division Overall Team Championship was won by the Air Force team, with the Army and Hill Country Sport Shooting Club teams finishing as 1st & 2nd runners-up, respectively.

The Standard Division Overall Team Championship was won by the Navy team, with the SSA & Air Force teams finishing 1st & 2nd runners-up, respectively.

Individual winners in the Open Division Shotgun and Handgun Matches were Haritha Pilapitiya of HCSSC and Danushka Fernando of the Air Force.

Armed Forces dominate

The Individual winners in the Standard Division Shotgun and Handgun matches were Sub Lt Yoshitha Rajapaksa of the Navy and Duminda Bandara of the Air Force, respectively.

The Sport of Practical Shooting which in fact is an off-shoot of Combat Shooting, was dominated by the STF and the Armed Forces since 1978 with the exception of 1998 & 1999 when two civilians, Late Dr. Jayaraj Nanayakkara of the SSA & Lasantha Samarakoon of the N'Eliya Sport Shooting Club emerged as National Champions.

Now inexplicably, since the 2010 National Championships, at which H.E. the President, Mahinda Rajapaksa was the Chief Guest, the sport is being completely dominated by a 14-year-old schoolboy whose shooting skills are far ahead of all the experienced shooters. The experienced servicemen undoubtedly find this situation hard to accept as they are provided with all the necessary facilities including the best competition firearms & ammunition at State expense for the specific purpose of improving their Practical Shooting skills. This is an integral part of their profession. Civilian shooters in contrast have to pay dearly for ammunition and compete with the limited facilities & resources available, using out of date firearms that have to be shared amongst club members.

It is hoped that this will serve as an eye opener for those concerned to redeem their lost prestige in a sport which is tailor-made for Special Forces, Commandos and VIP Close Protection personnel etc, who should take pride in achieving proficiency in their Practical Shooting skills. If the Armed Forces and the Police take up this challenge in the right spirit to regain their superiority in the Sport of Practical Shooting once again which they are capable of doing, the National Standard of the Sport is bound to reach new heights at International level.

Extension of range facilities

It is the intention of the Organisers to expand the present range facilities to host a Level III International IPSC Match with 15 Stages next year and thereafter to bid for the next available Level 1V 3-Gun Championship, comprising over 35 Stages which will attract in excess of 600 International Competitors. There is no better venue in Sri Lanka to host such a Mega International Practical Shooting Grand Tournament.

However, the non-availability of appropriate ammunition for Practical Shooting even in the Armed Forces and the Police, is a very serious concern for the progress of the sport at National and International Levels.

Furthermore, it is imperative that the Competition Firearms being used by National Shooters and talented young Shooters be upgraded to be competitive at International Level.