SL Army's P. Basnayake competing in both Smallbore and Bigbore categories won one gold, one silver and two bronze medals. His performance in Smallbore Rifle events was rewarded with a gold medal in the Silhouette Rifle - 'B' Division (56/80) and a silver medal in the Light Rifle- 'B' Division (60/80). He was also a member of the SL Army team consisting of M L Godakankanamge and D Karunathilaka which won the bronze medal in Overall Smallbore Rifle shooting event (331/360). Competing in the Bigbore Rifle category, Basnayake won the bronze medal in Silhouette Rifle- 'B' Division (19/40).
The other highlight of the Sri Lankan camp has been the sixteen-year-old Y D de Silva from S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia who represented the Magnum Sport Shooting Club wining the Smallbore Rifle Overall silver medal against all shooters from 16 countries in an impressive performance. He also won the gold medal in Light Rifle- 'B' Division (61/80).
The other Army shooter M L Godakankanamge who took part in both Smallbore and Bigbore categories came out with better performance in the Bigbore Rifle events winning the gold medal in Silhouette Rifle- B Division (25/40) and Overall bronze medal in Hunter Rifle (30/40) events.
He also won the bronze medal in Smallbore Light Rifle- 'B' Division (60/80). Wickramasurendra of Magnum Sport Shooting Club clinched the Smallbore category gold medal in Light Rifle- 'A' Division (50/80) and bronze Medal in Silhouette Rifle- A Division (45/80).
C S Ratnayake of SL Army who was a member of the bronze medal winning Army team of the Overall Smallbore Rifle event won his individual event bronze medal in Silhouette Rifle- 'B' Division (54/80).
Army's R P Gunawardana bagged the silver medal of Smallbore Silhouette Rifle- B Division (54/80) while Negombo Rifle Club's Mohan Gilbert won the silver medal in Bigbore Hunter Rifle- 'B' Division (17/40).
The 11th IMSSU World Championship was participated by a 15-member Sri Lankan shooting team consisting of SL Army, STF and civilians shooters from several National Rifle Association affiliated sport shooting clubs.
The Sri Lankan team upon their arrival to the country were warmly welcomed by the officials of the National Rifle Association and affiliated sport shooting club members at the Katunayake International Airport.
(ST/ SL Army)
