A media briefing was held today the sports Ministry Auditorium Colombo where, Dialog Axiata PLC was announced as the official sponsor of the National Paralympics team and the Sri Lanka Army Para Games from 2015 to 2017.
Among the distinguished guests gathered were The Minster of Sports, Noh, Dayasiri Jayasekara, Dr Hans Wijayasuriya Director / Group Chief Executive, Past President National Paralympic committee (NPC), Brig. Rajeeva Wikramasinghe, Director General Ministry of Sports, Mr. K. D. Ruwanchandra, Group Chief Marketing officer, Mrs. Amali Nanayakkara, Secretary Ministry of Sports Dr. D.M.R.B. Dissanayake, President of the NPC, Mr. R.U. Rodrigo and the Vice President of the Army Paralympic Committee, Brig. J. P.Ampemohotti.
Sri Lanka Paralympics which has been gaining in stature continuously is to field its Athletes at the upcoming International Paralympics Championship World meet in Doha, Qatar. The team will comprise of 7 athletes as follows;
1. Anil Jayarathne (Capt)
2. Upul Chuladasa
3. Chaminda Hettiarachchi
4. Dinesh Priyantha Herath
5. Amara Indumathi
6. Dumira Alwis
7. Gamini Ekanayake
8. Rohitha Fernando (Coach)
9. Deepal Herath (Manager)
The President of the NPC, Mr. R.U. Rodrigo thanked Dialog Axiata PLC for partnering in this cause and “we will try to develop and come forward in this sport owing to the fact that there is so much talent among the vast numbers of handicaps” He also went on to thank the Army and forces for their service rendered not only to the country but also for sports.
Having first sponsored the national contingent to the World Paralympic back in 2000, Dialog also sponsored the teams for the 2004 and 2008 games. Dialog Axiata has also powered the recently concluded 18th Annual Army Para games held at Biyagama showing their continuous support towards the sport.
“99% of the athletes are from the Army” said the vice President of the Army Paralympic Committee Brig. Ampemohotty stressing on the fact that it is mostly among the war effected soldiers that this field of sport is popular, “the Sri Lanka Army has played a pivotal role in bring Paralympics to its current state in the country” he added.
Concluding the media briefing Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara, Minister of Sports said, “this is the first Paralympic event conducted after taking office and I look forward to it”. He also went on to add that “this is a way to take the outcomes of war and turn them to our advantage and strength of the country”. With a vision to win a medal at the 2024 Olympics the Minister said “we look forward to develop the sports within the next 5 years, overcoming obstacles and looking into issues of the athletes through correct and appropriate rules and systems”
With Dialog Axiata empowering this sector of Sri Lankan sports from the start in 1991, they have “differently’ proven to be a partner in progress.
