Richard Skills surfing champ

M.A. Phakurdeen Addalaichenai Group Corr.

Richard Skills of South Africa was adjudged best surfer and emerged champions winning the handsome trophy along with the cash award at the International Surfing Competition which concluded at Arugambay on Saturday.

The competition was organised by the Ministry of Tourism Development in association with Crystal Holidays (Pvt) Ltd and SriLankan Air Lines in order to promote the tourism in the east.

A keen contest was witnessed among 10 foreigners at the final competition where large number of foreigners, surfers and their fans including locals from various parts of the district were present to witness these events.

The second and third places were won by Alan Strikes and Mark Harries both from United Kingdom. In the event conducted for Sri Lankans separately S. Asanka of Arugambay won the 1st prize.

Minister of Tourism Development Faizer Mustapha and the Chief Organizer of Tharunyata Hetak, Namal Rajapaksa were present at the finals and gave away the prizes to the winners. Pottuvil Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman, M.S.M. Marzook and the President of New Dawn Foundation A.M. Jahufar and Ministry's Coordinating Officer M.M.I.M. Ibrahim were also present.

John Owen - Director UPPSA and David Reed - Director UPPSA of UK Pro-Surge Tour UK Pro Surf Association were in the panel of Judges.

The beach was decorated in view of the competition and large numbers of tourists and surfing fans were seen at the beach and on the top of tree branches to witness this interesting event. A team of officials from Crystal Holidays (Pvt) Ltd., headed by its Managing Director Wasantha Hettiarachchi were in charge of the excellent organization along with the officials from SriLankan Airlines.