Lance Corporal NADEEKA LAKMALI of 2nd Battalion Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps (2 SLAWC) Wednesday (01) added history to the Sri Lanka Army sports sphere by establishing a new Sri Lanka record in the athletic meet organized by Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force (SLAVF) at the Sugathadasa stadium, Colamba.

Showing her future prospects, the woman soldier beat the previous record made by Anne Maheshi de Silva of Sri Lanka Navy in the Asian Games 2006 in Doha, Qatar and established a new record in the Women’s Javelin throw event.

Last year Lance Corporal Lakmali secured a gold for the same event at the South Asian games held in Colombo. Months after that she bagged a bronze medal at the Asian athletics championship in Amman, Jordan held two weeks ago.

Her yesterday’s golden performance with an impressive distance of     58.48 meters as against the previous 56.20 meters record brought reputation to the Army as well as to the whole island.

Lance Corporal Lakmali, educated from Kahaduva Mahaa Vidyaalaya in Gaalla was earlier coached by Manjula Mohotti, S.M.G. Bandara and A.J. Rajaguru. Major General Palitha Fernando, himself a renowned coach and the President of the Athletics Association of Sri Lanka after spotting her talents picked her for further coaching.

Her new record was witnessed by none other than Major General D.V.S.Y. Kulathunga, Commandant Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force (SLAVF) as chief guest in the company of many senior officers, other ranks and a host of sports fans. The athletic championship was held during July 30-31. Trophies and certificates were given away on Wednesday (01) to the winners, Lance Corporal P.P.S Ranasinghe, Best Performance (Men), Private W.M. Ajith Best Performance (Men) field events, Corporal M.D.P Wickramasinghe Best Performance (Women) track events, Lance Corporal Nadeeka Lakmali, Best Performance (New Sri Lanka Record) and runners up in all events.

Courtesy - Sri Lanka Army Website / 2007-07-31