President of Sri Lanka Athletics (SLA) retired Maj. Gen Palitha Fernando is well aware of the amount of work done by the coaches of the medal winning athletes and said that he will find some sponsors who will reward these coaches generously very soon.
Coaches too have spent much valuable time and passed on improved techniques to enhance the performances of the athletes although they are paid for their services on a monthly basis.
Nevertheless, the medal winning athletes were rewarded with cash awards at a ceremony held at the Marine Beach Hotel in Colombo 5 recently courtesy of Damro.
Tharushi Karunaratne and Nadeesha Ramanayake who won gold medals in individual events were rewarded with Rs. 500,000 each.
Each member of the gold medal winning relay team were rewarded with Rs.300,000 each while each team member of the men’s 4x400 relay team and the mixed relay event also received the same amount.
Each member of the 4x400 relay teams, that won the silver medals were presented Rs.250,000.
Athletes Gayanthika Abeyratne who won two bronze medals in the 800m and 1500m was presented with Rs 250,000.
The other bronze medals winners too received this same amount of money.
Meanwhile, the new Sports Director General Dr. Shemal Fernando has indicated that the Sports Ministry has drawn up plans to present cash awards to the medal winners and their coaches.