The Sri Lankan team for the Rio 2016 Olympics met President Maithripala Sirisena today (21) at the President’s Official Residence.
Engaging in a cordial discussion with the athletes the President expressed his good wishes to them and blessed them to bring victories for the country.
Nine athletes from Sri Lanka have been qualified to compete in eight events at the Summer Olympic Games this year. Sri Lanka will be represented in the events marathon (men/women), javelin throw (men), badminton, judo, weight lifting, swimming and shooting.
Long distance runner Anuradha Indrajith Cooray will lead the Sri Lankan team as the overall captain. He will be accompanied by woman marathon runner Geethani Rajasekera, javelin thrower Sumedha Ranasinghe, Shuttler Niluka Karunaratne, judoka Chaminda Dharmawardena, weightlifter Sudesh Peiris, swimmers Matthew Abeysinghe and Kimiko Raheem, and rifle shooter Mangala Samarakoon.
The Olympic Games in 2016 will be held in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil from 05 to 21 August 2016 with the participation of 10,500 sportsmen and women representing 206 countries in the world.
Four souvenir stamps and First Day Cover, issued by the Postal Department to mark Olympic Games – 2016 were presented to the President on this occasion. The souvenir stamps are priced Rs. 8.00, 10.00, 35.00 and 50.00.
Minister of Sports Dayasiri Jayasekara, Minister of Postal Services Abdul Haleem and the President of the Olympic Committee Hemasiri Fernando were among those participated in this occasion.
