THEY CAME FROM NORTHERN ISLANDS – THEY CONQUERED DIYAWANNAWA LAKE – THEY WENT BACK – By Admiral Ravindra C Wijegunaratne
This is a story of humble fishermen children from Kytes Island J/Thambaddy Government Tamil Mixed Vidyalam and J/ Delft Maha Vidyalam from Northern most inhabited island of Sri Lanka, Delft Island who travelled to Colombo and conquered China- Sri Lanka Friendship Cup Dragon Boat Regatta Junior (Under 18) section at Diyawannawa lake last week.
Details of two schools of Northern Islands
Delft Maha Vidyalam- started on 17th January 1946, (before our Independence) as one of the first Maha Vidyalam initiated by Father of Free Education. Dr CWW Kannagara, then Education Minister. Declared open by Sir John Kothalawala with five teachers and 23 students. Today school has classes from Grade one to thirteen. Students strength today 179 (117 boys and 62 girls). Twenty teachers (10 male teachers and 10 female teachers). This is the Northern – most Maha Vidyalaya in Sri Lanka. Delft Island is Northern most inhabited Island and ferry voyage from main land Jaffna takes about one and half hours.
Thambaddy Government Tamil Mixed Vidyalaya is in Kytes island. Main occupancy of people in this village are fishermen. School has 179 students.( both boys and girls) and 19 teachers. Classes from grade one to eleven. School has excellent swimmers also who won 18 medals in last Provincial Swimming meet, even without a proper swimming pool. They practice in village pond.
Boys junior teams Dragon boat event was won by J/Thambaddy GTMV consists of twelve paddlers who pulled their boat in unison with much vigor and morale. They were followed closely by another team from Jaffna Islands (Delft) J/Delft Maha Vidyalam, again, children of humble Jaffna fishermen. At the last stages of race was a close neck- to -neck battle between these two teams , leaving other teams trailing behind. The final results was
- Gold medal – Thambaddy GTMV, Kytes Island, Jaffna
- Silver medal- Delft Maha Vidyalam, Delft Island, Jaffna
- Bronze medal- D S Senanayake College, Colombo
- St Patrick’s College, Jaffna
- Wesley College, Colombo
- Gateway International College, Colombo
- Wesley College, Colombo, (team 2)
Boys winning teams with Rear Admiral Damien Fernando (Chief of Staff of Navy) and Captain (SBS) Chaminda Wijesiri
This great achievement by Jaffna Island schools was due to continue support and guidance by Sri Lanka Navy, specially by the Secretary of Canoeing and Kayaking Association of Sri Lanka, Captain (SBS) Chaminda Wijesiri, injured war veteran who ensured support for these two schools. This potential International level talent was observed by him when Canoeing and Kayaking Association held National Canoeing and Kayaking Regatta six months ago at Jaffna lagoon adjoining to picturesque Jaffna Dutch Fort.
The Chinese Embassy of Sri Lanka and Sports and Youth Affairs Ministry jointly organized this Regatta at Diyawannawa lake, which was earlier planned at Port City, but had to relocate at Diyawannawa due to rough seas. The logistics nightmare of bringing school teams from Jaffna to Colombo was greatly supported by Army and Navy Commanders by allocating buses and also by Director General Sports ( retired senior Naval officer Rear Admiral Shermal Fernando) under guidance of Sports Minister.
The accommodation for the teams were provided at Sports Hostel Colombo and Youth Council Hostel at Maharagama free of cost and meals allocated for high performance Athletes was given to these humble children by Rear Admiral Shermal Fernando with no cost to them. The Principal of Delft Maha Vidyalam, who accompanied the children told me that this is the first time in their life these children had eaten such nutritional meals.
The girls teams from these two Jaffna islands also performed extremely well. They lost to strong Vishaka College Colombo team, but secured Silver and Bronze medals. The final results of Girls category as follows,
- Gold medal- Vishaka College Colombo.
- Silver medal- J/ Thambaddy GTMV, Kytes Island, Jaffna .
- Bronze medal- J/ Delft Maha Vidyalam, Delft Island, Jaffna.
- WP/ Jaya/ Janadipathi Balika Vidyalaya, Nawala.
Girls category competition
Girls wining teams with Mr Preethi Perera
the former President of Canoeing and Kayaking Association
Five fully equipped Dragon Boats were donated by HE the Ambassador of People’s Republic of China to Canoeing and Kayaking Association and the Chairman of Canoeing and Kayaking Association, Rear Admiral (SSD) HNS Perera has already decided to keep two boats in Jaffna for use of these children to train them for International Dragon Boat Competitions. Our next step is to train combined Jaffna schools teams (both girls and boys) to take part in World – famous Snake Boat Race in Backwaters of Kerala, India scheduled in September this year. Bravo to these children ! They came from Jaffna Islands- most of these humble children first visit to Colombo and conquered the Diyawanna Lake. Great achievement. Once Mother (Saint) Theresa said “ we can’t do great things – but we can do small things with great love”. Keep paddling children ! We are there to support you !
