Reaching for the stars

Ananda teens receive Ananda Padma:

Chaminda Perera

COLOMBO: Ananda College, Colombo became the forerunner in upholding the Sinhalese values, rites and rituals intertwined with Buddhism when the country's education system was taking new twists and turns under the British rule.

The College at that time was going against the tide to elevate Buddhist education in Sri Lanka and today it is one of the leading Buddhist schools in the country. Anandians have excelled in all spheres in the world and many more are in the forefront of safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integriety of the motherland.

The College recently honoured and evaluated the remarkable potentials of two students who showed outstanding performance in sports by presenting them the Most Outstanding Sportsmen of the Year Award at the College Colours Nite at Kularathna Hall.

These two students brought the College to the international arena by representing the country at the 10th South Asian Games. They as hard working teenagers took the sports they represented to new levels. They are Nimantha Hewagama and Chandana Malimboda.

Nimantha Hewagama, 19, of Kolonnawa has excelled in rowing and has gained many awards at national and international level. Nimantha first received College Colours for Basketball and Water Polo in 2001 and 2002. He first bagged College Colours for rowing in 2004 and later won many national and international competitions.

Hewagama won the bronze medal for Open Weight Coxies Fours event at the 10th South Asian Games. He said after receiving the college's most prestigious award he did not expect that to come to him this early.

"I thought the Most Outstanding Sportsmen of the Year Award was just a dream to win and of course my dream is to be No. 1 in Rowing in South Asia," Nimantha said.

His stunning triumphs at the Inter School and National level competitions made him become the third in South Asia.

"Actually it is not every time that you are going to win. I'm just that kind of person who loves to win and I want to fight," said Nimantha.

"College coaches Ahamad Aslam, Rifath and Kusal Aberathne and the national coaches Lakmal Wickremage and Saliya Wijesuriya gave me formidable strength and fortitude to gain these achievements," Nimantha said.

Chanaka Malimbada, 16, of Makola, Kiribathgoda demonstrated good sportsman qualities at every competitions he represented the school and the country. Malimbada who is sitting for the GCE (O/L) examination this year won the 50m, 100m, and 200m Breast Stroke at 33rd Sri Lanka School Swimming Championships.

He was the winner of the 50m Breast Stroke at the 12th National School games, 100m and 200m Breast Stroke at the 17th National School Festival. He says his great love for swimming which is in his blood and the perseverance have directed him to success. Chanaka as a teenager who is at the threshold of international sports arena pays gratitude to his coaches who unearthed his inner talents and intuition.

His coaches were S.W. Bandula, Mahes Karunarathne and Ruwan Manawadu.He has also won the 100m and 200m Breast Stroke National Swimming Championships and took the 6th place in the 50m breast stroke event at the 10th South Asian Games in Colombo.

"The O/L examination is not an impediment to my practices. I have allocated considerable period per day for swimming practices. I am working slowly but stead toward success.

I want to soar as much as I can in the field of swimming.

These two students received Ananda Padma the most prestigious award conferred by the college for outstanding sportsmen of the school.

The college in collaboration with the Old Anandians Sports Club organised the Colours Nite 2006. Eastern Province DIG Mahinda Balasuriya was the chief guest.