The 18 athletes Amasha de Silva, Amila Jayasiri, Aruna Dharshana, Niroshan Dhananjaya, Dilshi Kumarasinghe, Himasha Eshan, Indunil Herath, Kusha Kushantha, Lakshit Sugandi, Nadeesha Ramanayake, Nilani Ratnayake, Nimali Liyanaarachchi, Roshan Dhammika, Seniru Amarasinghe, Shelinda Jason, Sumedha Ranasinghe, Vidusha Lakshani and Vinod Suranjaya pose for a ceremonial picture
Eighteen future Sri Lankan heroes (athletes) received a big boost by way of a sponsorship package from Ritzbury chocolates producer Ceylon Biscuits Limited (CBL) in a showcase ceremony held at the Taj Samudra on Thursday (4).
The boost came in the form of ‘Ritzbury Mawbimata Weerayek’ program and the athletes were selected by a special team of selectors who have been recording their performances over the past years.
The 18 athletes are said to be of high potential very ambitious to reach higher levels and win a medal at the highest levels such as the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and World Championships. They will receive Rs. 300,000 per year that will help them to go through their daily chores without facing hardships.
Besides these 18 athletes, 14 other young athletes will be given Rs. 60,000 annually so that they can purchase their running shoes and nutrition in whatever possible way. Most of these athletes are with their parents who cannot afford much.
Nilupul de Silva the General Manager of CBL who is a former athlete said that the standard of junior and senior schools athletes has reached a high level and it was necessary to help them financially.
He also added that in 2015, 2017 to 2019 those athletes who shone had an uncertain future as they were undecided on whether to pursue in studies or take up athletics with the ambition to winning medals.
De Silva said it was the reason why they decided to support these school athletes to get over their hardships.
Most of these school athletes have shattered records and represented Sri Lanka at international junior meets and needed this financial support.
Rasith Wickremasinghe a Group Director of CBL said that any child loves sports but some of their talents go waste due to financial constraints.
"Today sponsorship comes as an alternative so that these athletes can fulfill their passion and reach their dreams and there no need to fear failures," said Wickremasinghe.
The 18 athletes who will receive Rs. 300,000 annually are Amasha de Silva, Amila Jayasiri, Aruna Dharshana, Niroshan Dhananjaya, Dilshi Kumarasinghe, Himasha Eshan, Indunil Herath, Kusha Kushantha, Lakshit Sugandi, Nadeesha Ramanayake, Nilani Ratnayake, Nimali Liyanaarachchi, Roshan Dhammika, Seniru Amarasinghe, Shelinda Jason, Sumedha Ranasinghe, Vidusha Lakshani and Vinod Suranjaya.
The 14 athletes who will receive Rs. 60,000 annually are Kavindi Sanjana, Anusha Hettiarachchi, Ishara Pallagama, Navishka Sandeesh, Rashmi Kavindya, Sadeepa Henderson, Kavindi Tathsarani, Shangika Lakshani, Janindu Lakjana, WIK Piyasiri, Harsha Karunaratne, Sandini Kaveesha, Dilan Bogoda and Bimashi Ashmike.