Run around country completed in 36 days:

Saman aims Guinness World Record

Ex-army commando Pradeep Saman Udugamasooriya, who made a valiant bid to enter the Guinness Book of World Records by jogging, climbing and swimming (triathlon) along Sri Lanka’s 1,340 Km coastline within 40 days, completed his epic run to a hero’s welcome at Galle Face Green yesterday.

An enthusiastic crowd including Western Province Governor Alavi Mowlana, Galle District Parliamentarian Nishantha Muthuhettigama, Commercial Bank Plan Implementation Assistant General Manager Richard Rodrigo, Sports Ministry officials, Udugamasooriya’s family, friends and well-wishers gathered at the event to welcome the hero who completed his mission in 36 days.

Udugamasooriya paid tribute to his motherland by kissing the earth before victoriously raising the National flag which he carried around the country with him. He said his journey would not have been possible, if not for the atmosphere of peace prevailing in the country.

His record is to be submitted to the Guinness Book of World Records for formal ratification.

Udugamasooriya started off his gruelling journey, in which no one has ever succeeded before, at the Galle Face Green on September 2 with the blessing of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He had obtained permission from the authorities and announced that the aim of his attempt was to bring glory and honour to the nation.

“Saman’s attempt was not only a thorough test of perseverance and endurance but also an attempt to symbolically celebrate the opportunities brought about by the dawn of peace in Sri Lanka,” said Commercial Banks Plan Implementation AGM Richard Rodrigo.