Double Asian Gold Medalist confined to bed

by S.M. Jiffrey Abdeen

He was known as the 'gazzle' of Sri Lanka , a double Gold Medalist at the 1974 Teheran Asian Games with the 400 meter sprint as his forte. Today he is confined to a hospital bed unable to move.

W.Wimaladasa in action at a International meet

He is the village lad W.Wimaladasa who represented Sri Lanka with distinction and was a household name in Athletics. He is the second Sri Lankan to win double gold medals at the Asian Games.

Sadly, Wimaladasa met with a serious motor cycle accident recently and a hip-bone had to be replaced . He is now being treated at the Army hospital and is badly in need of financial assistance. This unfortunate incident was revealed by the Chairman of the National Sports Council, Senior DIG, Nimal Lewke. He had visited the ailing Wimaladasa with Julian Bolling, Sunil Gunawardene who was a member of that record breaking 4x400m relay team in Teheran not only to comfort him, but also to assist him and console him in his hour of need to give him some solace so that he could spend the evening of his life in comfort and happiness.

Lewke said that Wimaladasa was a persevering and dedicated runner and he achieved all these personal glories at a time when there were no sponsors to assist sportsmen.There were no specialised training or nutritional programs but nothing had deterred Wimaladasa from achieving his goal.

Lewke said the plight of the great Sri Lanka athlete was sad and the man who was at that time the fastest in Asia, 40 years ago is now bed ridden and needed financial assistance.

Besides, Wimaladasa's son is unemployed and a dependent on him. Sunil Gunawardena has agreed to find employment for his son which will give him some relief. Nimal Lewke appeals to well wishers to rally around the wounded Wimaladasa and help him financially as he has brought immense credit to his motherland and put Sri Lanka on the world map where athletics was concerned.