National Sailing Championship – 2023 successfully concludes at Crow Island

The National Sailing Championship – 2023 was held at the picturesque Crow Island, Mattakkuliya on 05th and 06th March 2023. Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The Sri Lanka Navy Sailing Pool put up an impressive show at the championship, recording multiple wins in various categories.

The National Sailing Championship – 2023 was open to both men and women under 07 categories. Eighty-nine (89) players with 69 sailboats representing seven (07) well-known sailing clubs of the island, including the Navy Sailing Pool, participated in this year’s championship.

In Laser Radial category, Leading Seaman JS Senevirathna won the gold medal and Petty Officer WAS Weerathunga won the bronze medal. In Laser Standard category, the silver and bronze medals were won by Fleet Chief Petty Officer NGMU Ganawardana and Chief Petty Officer KGCUS Bandara. Further, in Wind Surfing category, Petty Officer WAS Weerathunga and Leading Seaman KPP Gunawardena won the gold and bronze medals respectively.

Moreover, Leading Seaman Aththanayake and Leading Seaman KSK De Silva (gold), Leading Infantryman JHMPI Jayapathma and Leading Seaman SPPN Kumara (silver) and Leading Engineering Mechanic TDS Perera and Able Seaman LACM Gunathilaka (bronze) won the first three places in the Enterprise category. In the same vein, Fleet Chief Petty Officer JMPL Jayasooriya and Able Seaman ASK De Soyza (gold), Leading Seaman WADR Kumara and Leading Engineering Mechanic GPS De Silva (silver) and Leading Seaman KC De Soyza and Leading Infantryman GPP Karunarathna (bronze) secured all first three places in GP 14 category.

Speaking at the event, Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera commended the participants for their efforts and conveyed his best wishes to the winners of National Sailing Championship – 2023. There, he highlighted the history of Sri Lanka, stating that the country has been sailing-nation since ancient times. He emphasized that Sri Lankans are no stranger to sailing, and their love for the sea is deeply rooted in their culture, being inhabitants of an island nation. He also praised the emergence of a new generation of young sailors who are willing to take on challenges, which will benefit Sri Lanka's tourism industry greatly in the future.

A group of retired senior naval officers, Commander Western Naval Area Rear Admiral Suresh De Silva, Chairman of Navy Sailing Pool Captain Dumindu Abeywickrama officers and sailors were also present on this occasion.