October 6 was a special day for Sri Lanka Athletics (SLA) as they were honoured by the Sri Lanka Posts Philatelic Bureau which issued a stamp to commemorate its Centenary.
It also happened to be the World Postal Day and the Sri Lanka Posts Philatelic Bureau conducted this event at their headquarters auditorium in Colombo with Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena as the Chief Guest.
“We had planned to issue this stamp on April 7 but due to the situation in the country at that time the event had to be postponed. Sri Lanka athletes have produced the best results at international meets and they deserve this First Day Cover and stamp,” said retired Major General Palitha Fernando president of SLA.
He recalled the first silver medal won by the late Duncan White at the 1948 London Olympic Games.
Then in the year 2000 Susanthika Jayasinghe won the silver medal in the 200m event at the Sydney Olympic Games.
“Sri Lanka have also won medals at the Commonwealth Games with Sriyani Kulawansa winning the silver medal in the 100m hurdles in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 1998.
The latest being the bronze medal won by Yupun Abeykoon in the sprint event this year. He has been the fastest man in Asia winning gold medals at Asian level. Sugath Tillekaratne and Damayanthi Dharsha have also won medals at Asian level,” recalled Palitha Fernando.
The State Minister of Sports Rohana Dissanayake said that more stamps must be issued to honour more athletes who brought honour the country.
Shantha Bandara the State Minister of Mass Media said: “This athletic stamp is the 2538 stamp designed by Shantha Rohana while as a former National School Coloursman we must really appreciate all the coaches who produced international medal winners in athletics.”
Sydney silver medallist Susanthika Jayasinghe was called on to the stage to be presented with a special award of a collection of stamps of herself displaying the medal.