Sri Lanka is a proud nation with a long history of producing some of the best swimming players in the world.
From the likes of Susanthika Jayasinghe and Niluka Karunaratne to the current stars such as Shehan Fernando and Dilhani Lekamge, Sri Lankan swimmers have always been at the forefront of the sport.
With a strong emphasis on technique, endurance, and determination, Sri Lankan swimmers have been able to compete with the best in the world. We take a look at some of the best swimming players in Sri Lanka, both current and past.
1. Matthew Abeysinghe
Matthew Duncan Abeysinghe is a competitive swimmer from Sri Lanka who has achieved great success at international competitions. He has represented his home country of Sri Lanka at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Both of these competitions are considered to be the pinnacle of sporting achievement, and Abeysinghe has been able to make his country proud by competing in them.
His accomplishments are even more impressive when considering that he is only in his early twenties. Abeysinghe began swimming competitively at a young age and since then has dedicated himself to the sport.
He is a two-time Olympian and has also represented Sri Lanka at the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and numerous other international competitions.
His dedication to the sport and his country is evident by the fact that he has achieved so much at such a young age. Despite the rigorous training and preparation required for Olympic competition, Abeysinghe has been able to find success.
He is a great inspiration for young athletes in Sri Lanka and beyond, showing that hard work and dedication can help you achieve your dreams.
2. Akalanka Peiris
Dimuth Akalanka Peiris is a Sri Lankan swimmer who is well known for his athletic abilities. He holds a national record in swimming and has represented his country at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
At the event, he competed in multiple swimming competitions and proved to be a formidable opponent. His dedication to swimming is evident in his impressive record, which is a rare feat for any athlete.
He has dedicated his time and energy to achieving his goals, which is why he is so successful in the sport. Peiris is a role model for aspiring swimmers, as he has worked hard to reach the top and continues to strive for excellence.
His example serves as a reminder to never give up and to strive for greatness in the face of adversity.
3. Kimiko Raheem
Kimiko Shihara Raheem is a talented Sri Lankan swimmer who has made her country proud on the international stage.
She had the honor of representing Sri Lanka at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and she did her country proud by winning multiple gold medals in the backstroke and freestyle events at the 2016 South Asian Games.
By competing in these prestigious events, Kimiko has shown that she is a force to be reckoned with in the swimming world and that she has the potential to make a real impact in the sport.
Her achievements have been an inspiration to many young swimmers in her home country of Sri Lanka and have set a high standard of excellence for them to strive for.
4. Mayumi Raheem
Mayumi Raheem is an impressive swimmer from Sri Lanka who achieved remarkable success at the 2006 South Asian Games. She won an impressive 3 gold medals in the Women’s 50 meters, 100 meters and 200 metres breaststroke.
Additionally, Raheem also earned 5 silver medals and 5 bronze medals, making her total medal count a record-breaking 11 medals – the most achieved by any athlete at a single Asian Games.
This is a remarkable feat and is a testament to Raheem’s hard work and dedication as an athlete. Raheem is an inspiration to all, showing that with the right determination and commitment, it is possible to reach the highest heights of success.
5. Cherantha de Silva
Cherantha De Silva is a highly accomplished Sri Lankan swimmer who has achieved an impressive amount of success in a number of international aquatic events.
He has competed in 6 World Aquatics Championships, 3 FINA World Cups 2 Commonwealth Games, 1 Asian Games, and 1 South Asian Games, and has won a total of 7 medals across all these events.
In addition to his medal haul, De Silva has also broken 6 Sri Lankan national records and 4 internationally recognized records. This is a remarkable accomplishment and a testament to De Silva’s talent and dedication to the sport.
He has become an inspiration to aspiring swimmers in Sri Lanka, and his achievements have put the country on the international swimming map.
6. Machiko Raheem
Machiko Suharmee Raheem is a Sri Lankan swimmer who has achieved success on the international stage. She is a medal-winning athlete, having earned a silver medal at the 2016 South Asian Games.
In this competition, she participated in the women’s 50 m, 100 m, and 200 m freestyle swimming events, with her greatest success coming in the 200 m freestyle event. Raheem is an inspiring figure for young athletes from Sri Lanka, demonstrating that dedication and hard work can lead to success even on the international stage.
Her silver medal win at the South Asian Games is a testament to her skill, determination, and commitment to excellence. As a result of her success, she has become a role model for many young swimmers, inspiring them to work hard and pursue their dreams.
7. Aniqah Gaffoor
Aniqah Gaffoor is an accomplished swimmer from Sri Lanka. She started swimming at a young age and has since gone on to achieve great success in the sport.
She has competed in numerous international competitions, including the Olympics, the Asian Games, and the Commonwealth Games. Her biggest accomplishment was winning a gold medal in the 200m backstroke at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia.
She also holds the Sri Lankan record for the 100m freestyle. Aniqah is an inspiration to many young swimmers in Sri Lanka, and her success has shown the world the potential of Sri Lankan athletes.
She is a passionate advocate for the sport, and her dedication and hard work has earned her much respect in the swimming community. Aniqah Gaffoor is an excellent example of what can be achieved through hard work and dedication.
8. Dipika Chanmugam
Dipika Rukshana Chanmugam-Appleton is a former swimmer from Sri Lanka who achieved an extraordinary feat. She competed in three events at the 1988 Summer Olympics, making her the first woman to ever represent Sri Lanka at the Olympics.
This is an amazing accomplishment, as it takes a great deal of hard work and dedication to make it to the Olympics.
Her determination to be the first woman to represent her country in the Olympics is a testament to her strength and courage. Chanmugam-Appleton is an inspirational figure for all athletes, especially those from Sri Lanka.
She showed that anyone can achieve their dreams, no matter what obstacles are in the way. Her courage and determination set a great example for all aspiring athletes, and her success serves as a reminder that hard work and dedication can make anything possible.
9. Menaka de Silva
Menaka Srimani de Silva is a Sri Lankan swimmer who specializes in sprint freestyle events. She was a talented athlete who set a Sri Lankan record for her specialty event in 2003. This record held strong for nine years until it was broken by 13 year old Kimiko Raheen in 2012.
Kimiko’s accomplishment was a remarkable achievement and a major milestone for swimming in Sri Lanka. This record-breaking performance demonstrates the potential of the younger generation and inspires many aspiring swimmers in the country.
It is proof that hard work and dedication can pay off, and that it is possible to achieve great heights in the sport of swimming no matter the age.
Menaka Srimani de Silva’s record-breaking performance in 2003 and Kimiko Raheen’s in 2012 are a testament to the strength of the Sri Lankan swimming community.
10. Theekshana Ratnasekera
Theekshana Ratnasekera is an accomplished swimmer from Sri Lanka. She was born in 1982 and began her swimming career when she was just a teenager. She was selected to represent her country at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney at the age of 18.
During her swimming career, she specialized in sprint freestyle events and set numerous age group and meet records in the process. Theekshana was a talented swimmer and worked hard to achieve her goals.
She trained diligently and worked to improve her technique, speed and endurance.
She was determined to excel in her sport and her hard work paid off as she set records and achieved success at the Olympics. Theekshana’s success in swimming has been an inspiration to many other swimmers in Sri Lanka and around the world.
She is an example of what can be accomplished with hard work, dedication and determination. Her records and achievements are a testament to her determination and commitment to excellence.
11. Geoffrey Marks
Geoffrey Charles Marks was an accomplished swimmer from Sri Lanka. He was a part of the nation’s Olympic team and competed in three different events at the 1952 Summer Olympics.
Marks was a passionate and dedicated athlete who was determined to make a name for himself in the sporting world. Marks swam the 100-meter freestyle, the 400-meter freestyle, and the 4×100-meter freestyle relay.
He was well-prepared and gave it his all in each event, but unfortunately did not manage to secure a medal. Despite his lack of success in the 1952 Summer Olympics, Marks was still proud of his accomplishments and enjoyed the thrill of competing in such a prestigious event.
Marks was a symbol of pride for his home country, as he was one of the few Sri Lankans to ever take part in the Olympics. His efforts to represent his country and show the world what Sri Lanka was capable of were admirable.
He may not have won a medal, but his legacy still lives on as an example of hard work and determination in the face of adversity.
12. Roshan Abeysundara
Roshan Abeysundara is an extraordinary athlete who has achieved remarkable feats in both airmanship and swimming. He is a Sri Lankan national and has achieved an amazing feat as of April 2021; he currently holds the Asian record for swimming across the Palk Strait.
This is an incredible accomplishment as this strait is a body of water that separates the Indian subcontinent from the island nation of Sri Lanka. Roshan Abeysundara is an inspiration to many, as he has showcased what dedication and hard work can lead to.
His journey in swimming began in 2016 when he first attempted to swim across the Palk Strait. After four years of intense training, he was successful in completing the swim in 2020.
His record-breaking achievement was recognized when the Asian record was officially credited to him in April 2021. Roshan Abeysundara is not only an accomplished athlete but is also an airman.
He is an active member of the Sri Lankan Air Force and has held various positions such as flight engineer.
His inspiring story has been covered by multiple news outlets, and his achievements have been celebrated by many. Roshan Abeysundara is a remarkable athlete who is an inspiration to many.
His dedication and hard work have paid off, and he has achieved an amazing feat; swimming across the Palk Strait and setting an Asian record. This is a testament to his courage and commitment, and he serves as a great example to all those who wish to pursue their dreams.
13. Heshan Unamboowe
Heshan Bandara Unamboowe is a Sri Lankan swimmer who has achieved great success in the world of competitive swimming. Born in Kandy, Sri Lanka, Unamboowe was raised by his parents Dudley and Priyanga.
He attended Trinity College, Kandy where he received his primary and secondary education. His dedication and hard work earned him the opportunity to represent Sri Lanka at various international competitions.
Unamboowe is an inspiration to many Sri Lankans, proving that hard work and dedication can lead to success. He is an example of an athlete that sets goals and works to achieve them, no matter the challenges he may face.
Unamboowe has made a name for himself in the competitive swimming world and is an important figure in Sri Lankan culture. He is a representation of the strength and dedication of the Sri Lankan people, which is something to be admired and respected.
14. Conrad Francis
Conrad Anthony Francis is a former swimmer from Sri Lanka, who is well known for his specialty in butterfly events. He is a highly respected athlete who has achieved many accomplishments during his career.
At the international level, Conrad Anthony Francis is a two-time Olympian, having represented Sri Lanka at the Olympic Games in 2000 and 2004. He is also a three-time swimmer at the Commonwealth Games, representing Sri Lanka at the Games in 1998, 2002, and 2006.
Conrad Anthony Francis’ greatest achievement in the sport of swimming is his double gold medal win in the 50 and 100 meter butterfly events at the Asian Age Group Championships. This was a major accomplishment in his career and one that he will always be remembered for.
In conclusion, Conrad Anthony Francis is a former Sri Lankan swimmer who specialized in the butterfly events.
He is an accomplished athlete who was successful at the international level, and holds the title of two-time Olympian, three-time Commonwealth Games swimmer, and double gold medalist in the 50 and 100 m butterfly at the Asian Age Group Championships.
15. Reshika Udugampola
Reshika Amali Udugampola is a renowned name in the world of sports. She is a former freestyle swimmer from Sri Lanka who has gone on to make a big name for herself in the field of sports administration.
Currently, she is the Secretary of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka’s Athletics Commission.
She also serves in the marketing sub-committee of the International Olympic Committee. Udugampola’s career in sports administration began when she was appointed as the Secretary of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka’s Athletics Commission in 2012.
She has been credited for her role in overseeing the successful implementation of reforms in the country’s sports system.
During her tenure, she has worked on a number of initiatives and projects to encourage the development of sports in Sri Lanka. Apart from her work in Sri Lanka, Udugampola is also part of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) marketing sub-committee.
She is responsible for developing marketing strategies for the IOC and its various partners.
Her work with the IOC has helped in increasing the visibility of the Olympic Games and its affiliated sports in the global arena. Udugampola’s career is a testament to her commitment and dedication towards the development of sports in Sri Lanka and beyond.
She has played an important role in bringing the country’s sports to the international level and in creating a positive image of Sri Lanka in the international sports arena. Her hard work and achievements serve as an inspiration to many aspiring sports administrators.
Conclusion
Sri Lankan swimmers are some of the best in the world. They have won numerous medals in international competitions, and have set numerous national and world records.
The Sri Lankan swimmers have demonstrated exceptional talent and commitment to their sport, and have become an inspiration to many aspiring swimmers in Sri Lanka.
With the continued support of the government and the local swimming community, it is likely that Sri Lankan swimmers will remain at the forefront of the international swimming scene for years to come.
