Manju Wanniarachchi won the gold medal of the 56 kg Bantam weight boxing event defeating Shan Mc Gold of Wales at the commonwealth games in New Delhi this evening. This is the first ever gold medal won by Sri Lanka in a boxing event of the commonwealth games after 72 years. After the victory boxer Wanniarachchi told media that he is very much happy about winning a gold medal for the motherland. He also expressed gratitude to all who helped him to achieve this victory. Meanwhile, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has telephoned and congratulated the boxer for his unprecedented achievement. Director General of Government Information Professor Ariyarathna Athugala said that the President’s congratulatory message was also delivered through Sri Lanka High Commission in New Delhi a short while ago. Minister of Sports C.B.Ratnayake said this is a significant milestone in the history of Sri Lankan sport. Manju Wanniarachchi is a resident from Hatharaliyadda area in Kandy and an old boy of Vidyartha College
