President calls Manju and congratulates

http://www.dailynews.lk/2010/10/14/news02.asp

President calls Manju and congratulates
Sri Lanka’s golden boy:
President Mahinda Rajapaksa telephoned Manju Wanniarachchi yesterday and congratulated him on winning Sri Lanka’s first gold medal in boxing in 72 years after beating Wales’ Sean McGoldrick in the bantam weight division.
The 30-year-old from Kandy won a points decision 16-14 to beat the 18-year-old, who caused an upset in the semi-finals by beating the Olympic bronze medallist and the beaten finalist from Melbourne, Louis Julie.
His Manager Dian Gomes told AFP: “It’s a great victory for us after 72 years. It means so much for boxing in Sri Lanka. This is one of the greatest victories of all time.”
He became Sri Lanka’s first boxing medal winner since the Auckland Games in 1950 by winning his quarter-final match on Sunday, guaranteeing him at least a bronze.
Sri Lanka’s last gold was won by Ansdale “Barney” Henricus in Sydney in 1938. AFP
Manju’s feat, landmark – PM
Prime Minister D M Jayaratne in a congratulatory message to Commonwealth Games boxing Gold medallist Manju Wanniarachchi said the feat achieved after a period of 60 years by a Sri Lankan at the Commonwealth Games would no doubt be an enduring landmark in the country’s sporting history.
The Premier said he was overjoyed on hearing the great victory achieved by Manju Wanniarachchi in winning the gold medal for Sri Lanka. The victory of Manju, an old boy of Vidyartha College while being a victory of the hill country is also a victory achieved on behalf of all Sri Lankans.
At a time when the country is moving towards a golden era of development with ending a three decade war such an achievement made in the field of sports is also something that all Sri Lankans could be proud of, he said.
He wished Manju all strength and courage to realize his future Olympic dream.