Hero’s welcome for Manju

S M Jiffrey ABDEEN-Kandy Sports Correspondent

Commonwealth Games gold medallist Manju Wanniarachchi received a rousing welcome in the hill capital yesterday as people lined up along the route he was taken in a motorcade and cheered him all the way, and gave him a standing ovation.

Manju Wanniarachchi arrived in a helicopter which landed at the Municipal Grounds at Getambe. He was accompanied by his Manager Dian Gomes. He was received by the old boys of Vidyartha College who arrived in their numbers.

Prime Minister D M Jayaratne presenting a memento to Commonwealth Games gold medallist in boxing Manju Wanniarachchi at the felicitation ceremony held at Vidyartha College, Kandy yesterday. Also in the picture is Sports Minister C B Ratnayake. Pictures by S M Jiffrey Abdeen, Kandy Sports Corr	Boxer Manju Wanniarachchi who received a hero’s welcome in his home town, Kandy yesterday waves to the crowd while being driven in a motorcade from Getambe to his old school, Vidyartha College.

The motorcade left Getambe and school children standing in front of their institutions garlanded and cheered him all along Peradeniya Road.

Near Kandy Clock Tower, the public of Kandy and Old Vidyarthaians received him with garlands and lighting of crackers. Kandy Traders Association also received him.

The crowd gathered was so large that there were fears that he will be mobbed if he gets off the vehicle and as a result he continued his journey to his Alma Mater in the same vehicle.

Kandy Police Division headed by Deputy Inspector General (CP) Pujith Jayasundera did a grand job controlling the large crowd which came to see the boxing hero who brought a gold to the country after 72 years.

At Vidyartha College where the main function was held Prime Minister D M Jayaratne, Sports Minister C B Ratnayake and Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella joined the ceremony.

Prime Minister D M Jayaratne speaking on the occasion said this was a great day for rejoicing not only for the Old Vidyarthians but also for the entire country.

This moment was even more momentous as Manju won the only gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. If we had won more gold medals, the celebrations would have been spread out to other parts of the country.

Speaking in a lighter vein he said that Vidyartha College had made a request to him for a three-storeyed building and he had to speak to the authorities and go through the formalities. If this comes to pass, they could call this building ‘Manju Wanniarachchi Hall’ and below it they could carry the plaque. “This hall was declared open by Sports Minister C B Ratnayake. There was peals of laughter.

Prime Minister D M Jayaratne said people took notice of Sri Lanka’s cricket after Sri Lanka won the World Cup in 1996. We became a great cricketing nation. Sponsors came forward. Many countries wanted to play with us. All this was because we became World Champions at cricket.

He said winning a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games is no easy task. Top countries are members of the Commonwealth. They have a lot of facilities and the necessary structure.

Manju Wanniarachchi overcame all these challenges to win. Like what we did at cricket. We must do at boxing too. Then only we will draw the attention of the world. The game will become more popular and more will take to this sport which has a long history.

He said with Vidyartha College excelling not only in boxing but in many other sports, turning to Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, he said you will have a time with the Grade One Admission as more students would like to join Vidyartha College.

He said President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s vision is to make Sri Lanka a model country in Asia which will be an example to other countries. Vast development programs are underway. Like the economy we will also make Sri Lanka the best country in sports in Asia.

In conclusion he said that the Olympic games will be held in 2012 in London and we must strive hard to win gold medals. We can do it, and Manju Wanniarachchi will make our dreams come true.

Sports Minister C B Ratnayake who is also an Old Boy of Vidyartha College was full of emotions that a boxer from his school had brought glory to the country.

Minister Ratnayake said that when he visited India during the Games, he spoke to boxer Manju Wanniarachchi and encouraged him. He promised to do his best and bring glory to his Motherland and he did just that.

He said that Manju Wanniarachchi has the potential to win a medal at the Olympic games and he could do that.

He said Dian Gomes as Manager of the team was a tower of strength to Manju and encouraged and motivated him to face all challenges.

Sri Lanka is likely to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games and we must prepare ourselves for it now itself from grassroots level. The Sports Ministry will do its best to support and encourage sportsmen.

Souvenirs were also presented to Manju Wanniarachchi’s Coach Harsha Kumara, Managers Dian Gomes and S Amunugama by the Prime Minister.