One of the greatest achievements - Ekanayake

S M Jiffrey Abdeen - Kandy Sports Corr

“This is one of the greatest achievements by a son of the Central Province who has brought great credit and honour to the Motherland,” said the Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake.

He was commenting on boxer Manju Wanniarachchi’s gold medal in the bantamweight 56kg at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi on Wednesday. He said “We are planning a rousing welcome for this great boxer when he returns to the island.”

This will be hosted by the Central Provincial Council Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake has set several goals for his Province and one of which is to make Central Province the Best Province for sports by the year 2015. He said that Wanniarachchi has broken a 72-year-old drought in boxing. What was not possible some years ago, he has made it possible that too in style. It is our duty to honour this great boxer.

He said that he was unable to contact Wanniarachchi and he conveyed his good wishes through the Sports Minister C B Ratnayake.

It was two days ago, at a function held at Vidyartha College, Kandy that the Sports Minister predicted that Wanniarachchi has all the chances of striking gold and his prediction has come true.

Both Sports Minister C B Ratnayake and boxer Manju Wanniarachchi are Old Boys of Vidhyartha College.

Kandy erupted with joy with lighting of crackers in the streets to celebrate this gold medal win.

A very large crowd watched this historic bout live on a giant screen at the Market Square in Kandy.