Sri Lanka’s biggest National Regatta in Rowing has been conducted for the 38th time at the Diyawanna Rowing Club in Battaramulla. The national rowing championship was organized by the Amateur Rowing Association of Sri Lanka (ARASL). The championship was organized under categories of Junior, Intermediate, and Senior Open Level Leagues and the competition was conducted from the 29th of March 2023 to the 1st of April 2023. More than 340 Oarsmen and Oarswomen from all over the nation have competed in this National Rowing Championship 2023. The closing ceremony of the National Rowing championship was held on 1st April 2023. Major General Milinda Peiris, the Vice Chancellor of KDU, Maj General Udaya Herath, Vice President-SL Army Rowing, Brigadier Chinthaka Wickramasinghe, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Defence & Admin) of KDU, Air Commodore Palinda Kosawatte, Chairman-SL Air Force Rowing, Captain Kingsley Jayakody, Chairman-SL Navy Rowing, Mr. Rohan Fernando, Chairman SLT, Mr. Dimuth Gunawardena, President of ARASL, Mr. Pedro Sanz, Technical Director-SL Rowing, and Mr. Mohomad Rifath, National Coach were all participated in the closing ceremony of National Rowing Championship
21 institutions including all top clubs, universities, and schools in the country competed in the competition and they competed over 140 races in Men’s and Women’s Singles, Doubles, Pairs, and Quadruple on a course of 2,000 meters under international standards.
KDU Rowing Crew brought honour to the university by obtaining two gold medals, five silver medals, and two bronze medals. They were also able to dominate as the Runners Up in the Intermediate category in both overall Men’s and Women’s titles. Sri Lanka Navy finished as the Champions. KDU Rowing Crew for the year 2023 consisted of 24 crew members including one undergraduate Student Officer from Sri Lanka Navy, 22 Officer Cadets, and a Day Scholar. The followings members the KDU Rowing Team brought the honour to the university with outstanding achivements.
Women’s Intermediate cox-less four (4 -) – Gold
- C/Cpl HMTN Herath
- L/O/Cdt BRH Ranaweera
- L/O/Cdt HASL Hanchapola
- L/O/Cdt KDD Weerathunga
Men’s Intermediate Quadruple Scull (4X) – Gold
- Lt NC Sedawaththa
- SUO RGYK Rajapaksha
- O/Cdt AWADI Piyumantha
- O/Cdt UVB Rajapaksha
Women’s Intermediate Quadruple scull (4x) – Silver
- C/Sgt DSM Fernando
- C/Cpl HMTN Herath
- L/O/Cdt BHR Ranaweera
- L/O/Cdt WAOI Weerakkody
Men’s Intermediate Coxless Four (4-) – Silver
- O/Cdt GASA Abayawardhana
- O/Cdt AJMRV Jayasundara
- O/Cdt KKSM Kumarasiri
- D/S VEVIN Rajapaksha
Men’s Intermediate Pair (2-) – Silver
- O/Cdt AJMRV Jayasundara
- D/S VEVIN Rajapaksha
Men’s Intermediate Scull (1X) – Silver
- O/Cdt UVB Rajapaksha
Men’s Intermediate Double Scull (2X) -Silver
- SUO RGYK Rajapaksha
- O/Cdt AWADI Piyumantha
Women’s Intermediate Quadruple scull (4x) – Bronze
- L/O/Cdt RD Jothirathna
- L/O/Cdt HASL Hanchapola
- L/O/Cdt AGN Madukalpani
- L/O/Cdt KDD Weerathunga
Women’s Intermediate Double Scull (2x) – Bronze
- L/O/Cdt IHAC Iddagoda
- L/O/Cdt DGMSD Dikwella
The famous sportswomen and Sri Lanka Rowing Captain MBCH Liyanage (KDU Intake 30) of Sri Lanka Army were able to secure the women’s title in the open category for the 5th consecutive year by winning gold in the Open Sculls and Doubles. Sub Lieutenant MN Madushani of Sri Lanka Navy (KDU Intake 37) was also able to win gold in Intermediate Doubles and Quadruple scull in this championship.
