Nishantha - striving hard to achieve success
Anushka WITHANAGE
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Nishantha with his family |
Thirty four year old Gamini Nishantha Perera of the Sri Lanka Army is
a disabled athlete who is striving hard to achieve success despite
facing many hardships and difficulties in his life. He came into the
limelight and put up a fine performance to win the silver medal in the
high jump event at the National Disabled Athletic meet in 2006 for the
first time.
Perera an old boy of Shanthipura MV Nuwara Eliya joined the Sri Lanka
Army in 1994 and lost his sight during operation 'Jayasikuru' in
Puliyankulam, Vavuniya in 1997.
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Gamini Nishantha Perera |
Since then he has faced many difficulties and is currently in search
of a permanent residence for his wife and two children who are still
attending school.
Perera started his sports career in 2002. His events were the men's
100m, 200m and High Jump. He participated in the Army Disabled Athletic
meet in 2003 and won three medals including the 100m (Gold medal), 200m
(Silver medal) and High Jump (Gold medal).
He has dominated the scene in the high jump event of the Army
Disabled Athletic meets from 2002 to 2007 and also had the credit of
participating in the South Asian Pan Pacific Games where he won a silver
medal. |
