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Journalism of Courage
COLOMBO, August 12: Susanthika Jayasinghe, Sri Lanka8217;s star athlete and silver medallist at the World Athletics meet at Athens returned on Tuesday to a tumultous welcome in the Sri Lankan capital.
Thousands of people lined the road from the airport waving victory banners as Susanthika, wearing her medal, was driven in a convoy of vehicles flying the Sri Lankan flag. At three places, the motorcade was forced to stop by enthusiastic fans who had organised the roadside receptions.
Daughter of a bus driver in rural Sri Lanka, the 21 year old sprinter clocked 22.39 seconds in the 200m final at Athens to take the silver and become the only Sri Lankan in half a century to win at a World Championship. Duncan White won the silver in the 400m hurdles at the London Olympics in 1948.
On the way to her silver Susanthika left behind pre-event favourite 8212; Jamaican Merlene Ottey 8212; trailing at fourth place. Ukrainian Zhanna Pintussevich won the gold.
At the airport Susanthika, who appeared happy and overwhelmed by the red carpet laid out for her, said that her next aim was to win a gold at the Sydney Olympics. Her coach Derwin Perera said he was grooming her for the event in 2000.
She was scheduled to meet President Chandrika Kumartunga later in the day. Kumartunga was one of the first people to call her at Athens and congratulate her.
Sports minister SB Dissanayake announced a cash award of Rs 10 lakhs for Susanthika. Going by the rewards of free plots of land to the cricket team there is speculation that there could be more prizes coming Susanthika8217;s way. She was given a car and a flat in Colombo earlier by the Government which also pays her a monthly stipend of Rs 50,000 and her food expenses.
