President calls Susie to congratulate

Dinesh WEERAWANSA reporting from Japan

CONGRATULATIONS: President Mahinda Rajapaksa was amongst the first to congratulate Susanthika Jayasinghe after her record breaking feat to strike a medal at the World Championships in Osaka.

It was minutes after the race that President Rajapaksa spoke to Jayasinghe on a mobile phone while she was speaking to Sri Lanka’s four-member media team - Sarath Prematillake (Kreeda), Asoka Goonetillake (Divaina) and Channaka de Silva (Daily Mirror).

“Sir, I did it sir. I did it once again for my country,” Jayasinghe told the President. Jayasinghe was sharing her joy with the Lankan media team when President Rajapaksa spoke to her from Colombo to convey his greetings and congratulate the sprint queen on her unique achievement.

“He was extremely happy to see our flag fluttering at the Nagai Stadium here in Osaka. He has always been behind our country’s sportsmen ad women. I am glad that we have a President of his calibre,” the Lankan sprint queen said.

Even before the call from President, Jayasinghe was speaking to us on how he has been following her fortunes. “Despite his busy schedules, he calls me at least twice a month to inquire on my progress. That has been a big inspiration to me. I value his blessings like a father,” she said.

Jayasinghe thanked all those who helped her to achieve this feat. “Besides the President, I would also like to thank the Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge.

He is the best Sports Minister we have got after S.B. Dissanayake. Minister Lokuge has been a tower of strength and giving me whatever assistance I needed from the Sports Ministry ,” she said.

“It’s difficult to mention each and every person but there have been many others who have been giving me strength and courage in the good times and the bad. I thank my fans and sports enthusiasts in Sri Lanka for the courage given,” she concluded.