Masters athlete Wickramapala is no more

by Tissa SAMARASINGHE

Athletics: Masters athlete D.J.D. Wickramapala of Gampaha District passed away on September 24 while facing the starter for the 100 meters event (70-74 age group) at the 25th Sri Lanka Masters Athletic Championships held at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium, Diyagama. For this great athlete it was a rare honour to die on a race track where he has been performing for well over five decades with excellence. Wickramapala was the founder President of the Gampaha District Veterans Athletic Association and also held the post of Vice President of the main Masters Athletic Association (SLVAA/SLMAA) for a number of years.

Wicky has served in a many sub - committees as the Chairman and his contribution to the Sri Lanka Masters / Veterans Athletic Association has been praiseworthy.

As a veteran athlete he competed nationally and internationally, winning a large number of medals in his favourite events 100 meters, Long Jump and Pole Vault and brought honour and glory to the motherland.

A proud product of Ananda College, Colombo, Wickramapla spent more than half of his life working for the Sri Lanka Transport Board and has represented SLTB at the Nationalised Services Meet for a long time with great success. He has also contributed to national athletics as a judge and an administrator, representing his club, association and the nationalised services during his long expanding sports career.

May he attain Nibbana!