Cyclist Hemantha does Navy proud
Anushka WITHANAGE
Janaka Hemantha Kumara of the Navy won the Air Force 'Guvan Savariya'
for the first time.
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Janaka Hemantha Kumara Picture by Kavindra Perera |
He competed in the race in 2007 and was able to win the 4th place. In
the year 2001 he ended at number seven.
He thanked the Navy for providing him with new spare parts for his
cycle. He offered his gratitude to Capt. A.U.C. Silva and Trainner Tudor
Wijesuriya for their boundless assistance and he affectionately remember
the 13 members of the Navy Cycle team.
He was presented with Rs. 100,000 and a DVD player by the Navy and a
ceremony also was organised to honour him for the achievement.
He is 29 years old married and a father of a son. Hemantha joined the
Navy in 2004. An old boy of Kotadeniyawa Karunarathne Maha Vidyalaya he
hails from Kotadeniya. He says he was influenced by a cousin brother in
his village who was a racing cyclist. He is grateful to his wife, his
fellow villagers who gave massive support to him.
He says if facilities are provided to cycle racing it could achieve a
better standard in Sri Lanka. He regretted that he has been in the sport
for 10 years but so far not received any financial support.
He participated in the South Asia cycle race and won silver and
bronze medals in 2007. He took part in the 11 day cycle race and became
5th. He won the first place in the cycle race held to mark the
President's second year in Office. In 1997/1998 he came 20th in the
Defence Services cycle race. In 1996/1998 reached 1st and 2nd place in
2007/2008. |
