Sri Lanka Army by establishing the country’s first ever Angampora Experiment Institute and Training Centre at Panagoda Army Cantonment with state patronage added a new chapter to the field of Army sports on Tuesday, during an induction (Kala Elimangalya) display of Army Angampora players before a gathering, headed by Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake Commander of the Army.
‘Angampora’ a martial art that dates back to the times of Sri Lankan royalties has been locally used as a particular self-defensive fighting technique. The establishment of this special wing was a result of a proposal made by Major General Niyshshanka Ranawana, Chairman of the Army Angampora Committee and Director General General Staff after the former Commander of the Army General Crishanthe De Silva (Retd).
Those veteran instructors, Messrs Ravi Wanakulaarachchi, Anthony Don Wijesinghe and Kala Vibhushana Kala Keerthi Devinda Laksiri Ranasinghe performed a dedicated service to train those 130 Army Angampora players with enormous enthusiasm and commitment for 18 months.
Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake Tuesday evening unveiled a plaque and formally inaugurated the state-of-the-art Angampora practising hall (Maduwa) and witnessed their thrilling skills in a display that sent shock waves among the spectators.
Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Sports and government officials, evaluated the significance of the project have extended their fullest cooperation for establishment of this training institute as a permanent wing with the objective of popularizing this martial art among the youth since the Army has now taken the initiative in this regard.
Before the end of the event, Major General Niyshshanka Ranawana presented a memento to the day’s Chief Guest, Commander of the Army for his gracious presence and the support given to him to make it a reality.
Director General Sports Major General Anura Sudasingha who also took much interest in the project was also present, together with several Senior Officers including the Secretary to the Army Angampora Committee, Lieutenant Colonel J. K. R. P Jayasinghe.
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