Six Sri Lankan sporting girls who excelled at the GCE O Level exam to prove their all-round ability, were felicitated with prize money by the Sports Ministry on Wednesday.
The six girls Chathuni Karunaratne and Chamodi Karunaratne of Princess of Wales College Moratuwa, Yehani Kuruppu and Ganga Seneviratne of Visakha Vidyalaya, and Ayala Chitty and Alana Seneviratne of Ladies College, Colombo sat for their school exams while performing at last December’s South Asian Games in Nepal and won medals.
Sports Minister Dallas Alahapperuma said that all six girls were undisputed role models for the whole country.
“This is an example for the entire Society. They have shown the importance of both sport and education and how to strike a balance,” said Alahapperuma who is also the Minister of Education and Youth Affairs.
“I must also thank athletes of the past who have managed this balance and delivered this message to Society,” he added.
Director General, Department of Sports Development in the Sports Ministry, K. Ruwanchandra speaking on the occasion said: “These girls have overcome two hurdles and brought fame to the country.
“They have proved that nothing is impossible.”
“I thanked to Department of Examinations and the Department of Sports Development for giving these athletes the opportunity to sit for their examination while contesting the Games.”
Of the six, Chathuni Karunaratne had the best results with nine As while her twin sister Chamodi bagged eight As. Both won bronze medals in fencing at the Games.
Tennis player Alana Seneviratne came off with seven As and won a silver medal while Ganga Seneviratne won silver and bronze in swimming.
Yehini Kuruppu won a bronze for squash while Ayala Chitty won silver in table tennis.