Record breaking athlete Gayanthika promoted by Navy
Sri Lanka Navy’s middle- and long-distance athlete Gayanthika Abeyratne received a service promotion to the next higher rank of Petty Officer from Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, effective from November 2.
The athlete together with her coach National Institute of Sports Science Director Sajith Jayalal, called on Commander of the Navy and Navy Sports Board President Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne at the Navy Headquarters last week. Having commended the athlete for her commitment and talent, Ulugetenne gave her a service promotion to the rank of Petty Officer and encouraged her to achieve many more victories in the future for the motherland. This is a big boost for Gayanthika who is getting ready for the next Asian Games.
The athlete hails from Sooriyawewa had lot of difficulty to continue her sport. But Sri Lanka Navy gave her support to continue her career. She is very happy with her new promotion which will also encourage to develop her journey. The 34 year old athlete earlier set up a 800m record which was broken by Dilshi Kumarasinghe at the previous National championship.
This time Gayanthika set up two national records, in the women’s 1,500 metres and 5,000 metres at the 99th National Athletics Championships held at the Sugathadasa Stadium. She finished the 1,500-metre event in four minutes and 9.12 seconds (4:9.12) and 5,000-metre event in 15 minutes and 55.84 seconds (15:55.84) becoming the national champion She was the only athlete to set up two records and it was a great achievement
She couldn’t take part in the previous National championship due to a leg injury but she was determined to continue her sport with good preparation.This time she was more focussed on 1500m to set up a new record . Soon after the Athletic Nationals once again she started her regular training at Boralanda under the training schedule from her coach Sajith Jayalal.She is focussing on next Asian Games in China and her aim is to get a medal .
The dedicated athlete Gayanthika Abeyratne joined Sri Lanka Navy in 2010 and has represented Sri Lanka Navy in athletics over the years.
She has brought much credit to the Navy as well as the motherland throughout her athletic career. She won a gold medal in the women’s 800 metres at the 2017
Taipei City Asian Grand Prix in Taipei, a silver medal in the women’s 800 metres at the 2017 Asian Championships in India, a gold medal in the women’s 1,500 metres at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and a bronze medal in the women’s 800 metres at the same championship.
Befittingly, she also clinched the award for the Best Sportswoman at the 2021 Navy Colours Awarding Ceremony.
Further, the Commander of the Navy also heaped praise on her coach Sajith Jayalal, who was instrumental in coaching the athlete, and presented him a special memento in appreciation of his contribution for this achievement.