Dinesh Priyantha Herath who created history when he claimed Sri Lanka’s first-ever gold medal in the Paralympic history with a record breaking performance at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo was adjudged the SILK Most Outstanding Sports Personality of the Year at the seventh annual Chance Sports SILK Sports Awards 2021 organized by SPORTSINFO held on February 25 at the National Film Corporation premises, Colombo 07.
The Silk Awards honour athletes who demonstrated exceptional talent, determination and dedication for the seventh consecutive year and the ceremony recognized and paid tribute to sportsmen and women on their achievements in 2021.
Awards were presented in four major categories, major sports awards, sports excellence awards, sports contribution awards and special jury awards.
Under the major award category, Sri Lanka’s veteran national athletic coaches Sunil Gunawardena and his wife Badra were recognised with the prestigious Chance Sports SILK Lifetime Achievement Award. Former Sri Lankan athlete Talaou Alailima was bestowed with the Duncan White Award for Sports Excellence and Contribution.
Sri Lanka’s best T20 bowler Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva won the Most Popular Sports Personality of the Year Award while nine-year-old Oshini Devindya Gunawardena who became the very first Sri Lankan to win the FIDE World Youth Chess Championship 2021 in the under 10 girls’ category was named as the Most Outstanding School Sports Personality of the Year.
Former Sri Lanka national record holder and javelin coach Pradeep Nishantha was awarded the Lionel Mendis SILK Award for Outstanding Coaching and Guidance.
Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa who was the chief guest praised the contribution of SPORTSINFO and pointed out the value of conducting the prestigious SILK Awards since 2015 for the uplifting of sports in Sri Lanka.
The Special Jury was co-headed by Dr. Harsha Abeykoon and Rear Admiral Prof. Shemal Fernando. Former veteran sports administrator Ana Punchihewa, Brendon Kuruppu, Gamini Jayasinhe, Chandana Ekanayake, Dr. Seevali Jayawickrema and Upali Amaratunga also participated in the final jury selections.
SILK Major Sports Awards
SILK Lifetime Acheivement Award:
Sunil Gunawardena and Badra Gunawardena
Duncan White SILK Award for Sports Excellence and Contribution:
Talavou Alaileema
Lionel Mendis SILK Award for Outstanding Coaching and Guidance
Pradeep Nishantha
SILK Award for Most Outstanding Sports Personality of the Year:
Dinesh Priyantha Herath
SILK Most Popular Sports Personality of the Year:
Wanidu Hasaranga de Silva
SILK Sports Excellence Awards:
SILK Award for Upcoming Sports Personality of the Year:
Srimali Samarakoon
SILK Award for Most Outstanding School Sports Personality of the Year:
Devindya Oshini Gunawardena
SILK Sports Contribution Awards:
SILK Award for Most Outstanding Contribution to International Sport
Dilroy Fernando (rugby)
SILK Award for Most Outstanding Contribution to local sports
Susil Ranasinghe (volleyball)
Yogananda Wijesundara Award for Sports Management and Administration:
Jaswar Umar (President, Sri Lanka Football)
Bernie Wijesekera Award for Outstanding Contribution to Sports Journalism
Sa’adi Thawfeeq
SILK Special Jury Awards for local sports
SILK Special Jury Award for introducing Concept of Player Referral System to ICC
Senaka Weeraratne
SILK Special Jury Award for Emerging Prospects Athlete
Shenuki Dishalya Edirimuni (powerlifting)
SILK Special Jury Award for Most Outstanding Performer of the Year:
Yupun Abeykoon
SILK Special Jury Award for Emerging Future Leader in Cricket
Dunith Wellalage