Navy’s sporting legacy glows bright at Colours Awarding Ceremony – 2024

The highly anticipated Navy Colours Awarding Ceremony 2024, organized by the Sri Lanka Navy Sports Board, unfolded with grandeur at the Wave n’ Lake Navy Hall in Welisara on 11th December 2024. The vibrant ceremony was honoured by the presence of the Commander of the Navy and President of the Navy Sports Board, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, as the Chief Guest. During the event, 326 exceptional sportsmen and women, who represented the Navy, were recognized for their outstanding achievements across 35 out of 42 sports disciplines at Naval Command, Defence Services, as well as national and international levels, for the years 2021, 2022, and 2023.

At the ceremony, gold, silver, and bronze medalists across a wide range of sports, including Swimming, Archery, Track and Field, Badminton, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Bodybuilding, Boxing, Canoeing, Carrom, Chess, Cricket, Cycling, Football, Golf, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Karate, Lifesaving, Shooting, Netball, Rowing, Rugby, Sailing, Squash, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Triathlon, Tug of War, Volleyball, Weightlifting, Wrestling, and Wushu were awarded Navy Colours for their remarkable achievements. The Chief of Staff of the Navy, Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, Deputy Chief of Staff and Commander Eastern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Damian Fernando, Director General Health Services, Surgeon Rear Admiral Janaka Marambe, Commander Western Naval Area and Commandant Volunteer Naval Force, Rear Admiral Chinthaka Kumarasinghe, Director General Budget and Finance, Rear Admiral Manjula Dissanayake, Director General Engineering, Rear Admiral Chinthaka Rajapakse, Director General Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Rear Admiral Prashantha Anthony and Director Sports Commodore Marlon Perera, awarded Navy Colours to the recipients.

The Colours Awarding Ceremony stage was not only graced by the colour recipients but also by the dedicated coaches who inspired and motivated their teams. These exceptional coaches were recognized with special awards, in recognition of their dedication.

At the ceremony, Able Seaman JAN Madhusanka was awarded as the Best Sportsman of 2021, followed by Able Seaman WWDN Fernando in 2022, and Woman Leading Seaman BC Priyanthi in 2023. Demonstrating exceptional consistency, the Training Command secured the title of Inter Command Champions for three consecutive years: 2021, 2022, and 2023. The awards, prizes and certificates for those respective winners were awarded by the Commander of the Navy.

As part of the Colours Awarding Ceremony, a Russian team showcased knife throwing, an exciting new sport introduced to the Sri Lanka Navy's sports arena. The Commander of the Navy also presented mementoes to the Russian team in appreciation of their demonstration.

Addressing the gathering of sports stars, the Commander of the Navy extended heartfelt congratulations to all Navy athletes who received accolades at Colours Awarding Ceremony 2024. He highlighted the event as a tribute to the unwavering courage, dedication, hard work, and relentless efforts demonstrated by Navy athletes, both in their careers and in their pursuit of sporting excellence.

He emphasized that sports contribute significantly to physical and mental development, fostering qualities such as resilience, patience, dedication, endurance, discipline, teamwork, and overall health. These attributes, he noted, are essential for overcoming challenges and equipping the Navy with fitting, and dynamic personnel capable of performing their duties with efficiency and a commendable personality. By promoting sports within the Navy, these qualities are further strengthened. Concluding his remarks, Vice Admiral Perera expressed confidence that Navy athletes would continue to bring honor to the Navy and the nation through their ongoing success in sports.

Furthermore, this colourful event was enriched by the vibrant performances of the Navy Cultural Troupe, as well as captivating displays representing various sports disciplines. The event was also attended by senior officers from Navy Board of Management, Area Commanders, flag-ranking officers, senior and junior officers and sailors.