Japan-Sri Lanka Friendship Marathon on July 06

Bernard Perera

The second annual Japan-Sri Lanka Friendship Metatechno Marathon is scheduled to be held on July 06 said Kithsiri Ratnapriya the Director of Metatechno Lanka Private Ltd. the sponsors of the event.

He said the Japan-Sri Lanka Friendship Marathon is not only meant to run a race for the benefit, but it will also has many visions hidden behind the event. Citing the importance of it he said that this was an event organised by the University of Moratuwa last year for the first time with our assistance. As such we thought it fitting to add more colour and value to the same this year.

With this intention we the sponsors decided to introduce two more events on this day to bring in a bigger participation. The events that will be added are the 10km event for boys and girls in the age group up to 20 years and the 03km Fun Marathon.

These events are expected to serve Sri Lanka to find new talents to form marathon runners pool which could serve the country in producing long distance runners for international competitions in the future, said Ratnapriya.

He said that today people may question as to why a Company handling IT Technology should get involved in supporting sporting events of this magnitude. The Director reasoning this added that the present day sports make maximum use of IT Technology on a large scale. It has become the most wanted item for the improvement of spots globally.

These factors prompted our Company to give maximum support for the event and also hope to continue our co-operation in the future too.

Our support is sure to add more strength not only for the event but also to the whole country at large. He also said that with this marathon taking place it will help develop Japan-Sri Lanka friendship immensely as the Company Japanese counterparts eagerly awaits to help the participants in various ways.

Adding further he said that his company's chairman will be bringing few participants for the event on this day. They also intend to encourage locals to compete in international marathons held in other parts of the globe.

He is of the view that as sport plays a vital role in discipline it can serve the country on the long run to have a well behaved society which will be of great importance for the Sri Lanka society.

The Metetechno's main intention here in Sri Lanka is to give an opportunity to the best suitable technicians engaged in the technology to gain a more advanced training to enhance their to knowledge through Metatechno while engaging insport which too is an important aspect for the participant to have an healthy mind to work with a very free mind.

The company which commenced with three officials now has a strength of nearly 100 personnel. Already Metatech has made good progress by awarding golden opportunities to young graduates to qualify themselves as fully fledged technicians after undergoing training in Japan for three years.

The Company's strategy also brings in the much needed foreign exchange towards the country as Metatech has been a a leading exporter of their IT equipment produced in Sri Lanka through their expertise workmanship.

All these are done with the fullest co-operation extended by the Japanese personnel involved with our organization. All these factors contribute well to promote Japan Sri Lanka Friendship said Ratnapriya.

Patnapriya added that Koga Michio the chairman of Metatechno has pledge to expand the vent further in the future mith more unds as well as mnay other new novelties.

He said at presen he has left for Japan to organize the arrangements for the arrival of his country's participants who are expected to arrive in time for the event. Further said that Michio has consented to raise the standared of the event to international level in the near future.

Aruna Aluthge, Chief Executive Officer of the Fitness First who plays a vital role in organizing the event along with the University of Moratuwa said that the support extended by Matatechno for the development of sporting activities in local arena is a commendable one when looking at it from the sporting angle. He said that it is also encouraging to have a company involved in IT Business move in to the sporting field to help with high expectations.

The organizers will not charge an entry fee while they have made arrangements to give accommodation to participants from outstation except for school girls. Entries should be addressed to 15/2, 27th Lane, Colombo3. Participants from should should get their entries certified by the school heads before sending in their applications.

The winners of the events are to receive medals, certificates and cash awards, while the winners of the Fun Marathon too are to go away with medals and many valuable gifts packs.