President congratulates Gold Medal winner

COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapakse has sent the following message of congratulations to Chinthana Geetal Vidanage who won a Gold Medal for Weightlifting at the Commonwealth Games now in Melbourne, Australia.

"It is with great pleasure that I send this message of congratulations to you at your winning a Gold Medal in the 62 Kg category in Weightlifting, at the Commonwealth Games being held in Melbourne, Australia.

All your compatriots in Sri Lanka share with me the joy at your success at this early stage of the Commonwealth Games, and see in it an example for our other athletes there to follow.

Your success is all the more important in that this is the first time that a Sri Lankan has won a Gold Medal in Weightlifting at an international sports event, and especially at the Commonwealth Games with such a large participation of athletes from the countries of the Commonwealth.

While sending you my greetings at your success, I also send my best wishes to all other members of the Sri Lankan team participating in Melbourne 2006."