Masters athlete Wickramapala is no more
Tissa SAMARASINGHE
|
D.J.D. Wickramapala |
Masters athlete D.J.D. Wickramapala of Gampaha District passed away
on September 24 while facing the starter for the 100 meters event (70-74
age group) at the 25th Sri Lanka Masters Athletic Championships held at
the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium, Diyagama. For this great athlete it was a
rare honour to die on a race track where he has been performing for well
over five decades with excellence.
Wickramapala was the founder President of the Gampaha District
Veterans Athletic Association and also held the post of Vice President
of the main Masters Athletic Association (SLVAA/SLMAA) for a number of
years.
Wicky has served in a many sub - committees as the Chairman and his
contribution to the Sri Lanka Masters / Veterans Athletic Association
has been praiseworthy.
As a veteran athlete he competed nationally and internationally,
winning a large number of medals in his favourite events 100 meters,
Long Jump and Pole Vault and brought honour and glory to the motherland.
A proud product of Ananda College, Colombo, Wickramapla spent more
than half of his life working for the Sri Lanka Transport Board and has
represented SLTB at the Nationalized Services Meet for a long time with
great success. He has also contributed to national athletics as a judge
and an administrator, representing his club, association and the
nationalized services during his long expanding sports career. |
