SLC grants Rs. 28 mn in cash awards to Asian Games medal winners

(SLC) - Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), under the direction of SLC President Shammi Silva, and the Executive Committee recognized the Asian Games 2023 medal winners for making the country proud on the international stage.

Accordingly, 11 athletes and two coaches were recognized at the SLC Headquarters this evening, in the presence of Mr. Shammi Silva, President, Sri Lanka Cricket - Mr. Ravin Wickramaratne, Vice President - Mr. Sujeeva Godaliyadda, Treasurer - Mr. Chryshantha Kapuwatte, Acting Secretary and Mr. Lasantha Wickremesinghe, Assistant Treasurer of Sri Lanka Cricket. 

Olympic Medalist Ms. Susanthika Jayasinghe, who is the Consultant for Mentoring and Development of Women’s Cricket in Sri Lanka, also took part in the event along with the retired. Major General Palitha Fernando, President of the Athletic Association of Sri Lanka, and Mr. Saman Kumara, Secretary of the Athletic Association of Sri Lanka. Mr. Kithsiri De Silva, Executive Committee Member of the SLC, was also present. 

Tharushi Karunaratne, the Asian Games Gold Medalist, Nadeesha Dilhani Lekamge, the ‘Silver Medalist’, and 09 other athletes who made the country proud by winning bronze medals during the concluded Asian Games 2023 were recognized and given cash awards. 

The coaches of Tharushi Karunaratne (Susantha Fernando) and Nadeesha Dilhani Lekamge (Pradeep Nishantha) were also recognized during the event. 

Tharushi Karunaratne (Gold Medalist) was given a sum of Rs. 10 million for her gold medal and another Rs. 1 million for her bronze medal, while Nadeesha Dilhani Lekamge (Silver Medalist) was given a sum of Rs 5 million. 

In the meantime, athletes Pasindu Kodikara, Aruna Darshana, Kalinga Kumarage, Pabasara Niku, Rajitha Rajakaruna, Dinuka Deshan, Nadeesha Ramanayake, Sayuru Lakshima, and Jayeshi Utthara were also given Rs. 1 million each for winning bronze medals for the country. 
 
Coach Susantha Fernando was given a cash award of 2 million and Pradeep Nishantha was given a cash award of Rs. 1 million. 

The initiative is part of Sri Lanka Cricket’s Corporate Social Responsibility program. 

In the meantime, the Sri Lanka women’s national cricket team, which won the Silver Medal at the Asian Games 2023, will also be felicitated for their achievement during a special ceremony, which SLC is planning to hold in the coming weeks.