A ceremony was held yesterday at the Museum Gallery café, Colombo 7 to celebrate Sri Lanka’s racing sensation Dilantha Malagauwa’s 25 year old International racing career and to unveil his dashing new Lamborghini car along with his racing calendar for the year.
Among the distinguished guests invited were, the Minister of Sports and tourism, Hon. Navin Dissanayake, Mr. Cristian Inverni representing Lamborghini and the CEO of Motor sports Asia, Mr. David Sonenscher.
Hailing from the central part of the country Malagamuwa took to motor racing as a teenager, inspired by the Hollywood movie “Silver dream machine” which he later quoted in his address, “it is the story of a racer who found it very hard to win but, eventually became a champion”.
It was a common message by the CEO of Motor sports Asia, Mr. David Sonescher and the representative from Lamborghini, Cristiano Inverni, both specially flown in to the country for this event. They both emphasized on the fact that Malagamuwa was a racer who came from the bottom ranks and made a name for himself. “We are proud to be associated with such a talented driver as Dilantha” said Mr. Cristiano Inverni. Mr. Sonescher made note on the fact that Delantha is an ambassador who carries the Sri Lankan name across the world as he “always carries the Sri Lankan flag on his vehicle”.
Minister, Hon. Navin Dissanayake congratulated and wished Dilantha Malagamuwa for his career and touched on the fact that “Dilantha and Sangakkara are two greats in Sri Lanka produced by my father’s school; Trinity College, Kandy” remembering late minister Hon. Gamini Dissanayake. He also went on to say that “we should look to develop the sport in Sri Lanka and I am fully committed towards it”.
Malagamuwa who’s career blossomed with his move to Japan in 1985. “Are you here to race elephants, they asked me as Sri Lanka is famous for them, that motivated me to someday win the championship and prove what we are capable of” said Dilantha. No longer, in 1995 he won the Japanese N1 championship, becoming the first non-Japanese Asian to win a Championship in Japan. Malagamuwa finally went on to thank all his sponsors, friends and family for supporting his career right through. Special mention was made of his mother who was present and had a sense of pride on her face. “Thank you to my sister, who was the one to snatch the keys from my father’s car for, me to sneak out and drive” he said with his trademark smile.
Malagamuwa unveiled his dashing white Lamborghini which caught the envy of all present. With the motor racing season coming up we hope and wish Dilantha Malagamuwa all the best to keep the Sri Lankan flag flying high and bring pride to the country.
