A Star, Born from KDU

Sri Lanka is always keeping her name in the world by producing world class sportsmen and sportswomen for the nation, in the fields of Athletics, Cricket, Rugby, Netball and some other sports. But, if we take a look at the water sports in Sri Lanka it’s a new challenge and experience. Rowing is widely considered by those within international sports as the most physically demanding in the Olympic program. It not only requires extreme endurance and strength, but also considerable mental strength and the ability to push yourself well past your limits. 2022 sees the first ever appearance for Sri Lanka at a World Rowing Championship even though Sri Lanka has a long history with rowing.

Sri Lanka had two athletes at this World Rowing Championship. Among them the famous sportswoman from Sri Lanka Rowing, the name Maheshi Liyanage indeed became the main highlight. 31 year old Maheshi was racing in the lightweight women’s single scull in this year’s World Rowing Championship and she is the first to achieve that level from Sri Lanka. She started rowing in 2013 whilst studying as an Officer Cadet at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and now works as a Commissioned Officer in Sri Lanka Army.

Maheshi was born on 20 April 1991, in Colombo Sri Lanka. She has attended to Newstead Girls’ College Negombo and had been a remarkable character in school period. She was an international level Netball player and had participated for many national/international level competitions in her school times. Also being a member of Athletic pool she has won many medals and colours in track and field events.

Maheshi represented Sri Lanka at Asia Cup Thailand 2019 and won Silver and Bronze medal in Women Light Weight 4X and Women Open 4X respectively. She has participated Asian Rowing Championship four times in year 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2022. She finished at 4 in Varsity Boat Race-Malaysia which held in 2014 in the category of Women Open IX.

Maheshi participated for events in Sri Lanka National Rowing Championship from 2014-2022 and won 17 Gold Medals and 2 Silver Medals up to now. In addition, she was able to secure 11 Gold Medals, 2 Silver Medals and 2 Bronze Medals in Defence Services Rowing Championships and Army Inter Regiment Tournaments.

Accordingly, Maheshi wrote history as the first and only Sri Lankan woman to bring a glory to motherland by representing her country and putting the name on World Rowing Map. As such, KDU always produce young talents and identify the future leaders to serve their “Motherland Forever.”.