NSSF begins 2018 season with a bang

The National Shooting Sports Federation (NSSF) of Sri Lanka began its 2018 program with two events held two weeks apart in March - the Trap Open Meet conducted jointly by the Colombo Clay Target Shooting Club (CCTSC) and the Negombo Rifle Club (NRC) at the National Shotgun Range in Payagala and the NSSF Open Air Gun Championship held at the Welisara Naval Range. 

From among 52 competitors, Johann Fernando (NRC) bagged Gold in the CCTSC/NSC Trap Open final, while teammates Nihal Perera and Dallas Martenstyn won Silver and Bronze respectively. The other three to reach the final round were NRC’s Arjuna Perera and Jan Samaranayake and P.M.M.R. Fernando of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), who was the first to be eliminated. 

NRC shooters dominated the Masters’ category from among 11 shooters, when NRC’s Jan Samaranayake, Dallas Martenstyne and Nihal Perera came first, second and third respectively. 

The Women’s category was a battle among shooters from the SLAF with Kumari Priyadarshani winning the top spot, while A.T. Mekala and W.M.S. Waidyarathna came second and third respectively. 

The NRC claimed Gold and Silver in the Team awards. The NRC 1 Gold team comprised Jan Samaranayake, Nihal Perera and Shiyam Dias, while Johann Fernando, Jeremy Fernando and Arjuna Perera made up the NRC 2 Silver team. The Bronze was won by SLAF ‘A’ comprising P.M.M.R. Fernando, P.M.M.G.D.P. Dayawansha and W.M.N.A.K. Wijekoon. 

Following the Trap Open Meet, the NSSF Open Air Gun Championship was held with nearly 250 shooters competing under 14 categories. Amandika Amarasinghe came first in the Women/Youth 10 me Air Rifle event, with Limini Vadara Pasqual and K.V.A. Tharupathini placed second and third respectively. 

The Women/Junior 10 m Air Rifle event was won by Yashodha Dharmadasa, with S.A.G.R. Sirimanna and Nileka de Silva emerging second and third respectively.  The Boys’/Youth 10m Air Rifle event was won by S.M.C.S. Senanayake, with Anish Dubukola and Ishara Abeysuriya coming in second and third respectively. 

Shanika Dakshitha Perera won the Boys’/Junior 10m Air Rifle event, with Lahiru Dinesha Nissanka and Yanilka de Silva coming in second and third respectively. 

The Men’s Open 10m Air Rifle event was won by W.K.Y. Krishantha, with T.S. Gamage and W.G.D. Madushanka finishing second and third respectively. 

The Women’s Open 10m Air Rifle event was won by W.D.J. Madushani, with K.K.G. Perera and Limini Pasqual emerging second and third respectively. 

P.D.T.D. Bandulasena won the Boys’/Youth 10m Air Pistol event with Shamila Wijerathne and K.G.S. Aloka placed second and third respectively. 

The Girls’/Youth 10m Air Pistol event was won by Nehara Wirasinghe, with Yashoda de Silva and Manisha Mudithani second and third respectively. 

Rivisarani Tennakoon claimed the Girls’/Junior 10m Air Pistol event. 

M.P. Pathirana won the Men’s Open 10m Air Pistol event, with Suranga Fernando and W.G.U.K. Wijerathna second and third respectively. 

Ace shooter Ruwini Abeymanne won the Women’s Open 10m Air Pistol event with Aida Kulatunga and K.G.D.T. Dilrukshi second and third respectively. 

Shamila Wijerathne won the Boys’/Junior 10m Air Pistol event, with M.A.S.B. Ranasinghe and Dulshanda Samarasekara second and third respectively. 

In the Mixed events, C.P.L. Pathirana-P.T.E. Kulatunga won the 10m Air Pistol event, with C.N.R. Wijerathna-P.L. Weerakkody and D.M.A.T. Dasanayuake-K.A.D.T. Dilrukshi second and third respectively. 

In the 10m Air Rifle event W.L.D. Madusanka-G.G.U.N. Ruparathna won top position, with S.M.C.S. Senanayake-A. Amarasinghe and A. Dumbukola-Limini Pasqual second and third respectively. 

The NSSF 2018 calendar will continue its activities with the SSC Open Youth and Junior Air Gun Championship at the Naval Shooting Range in Welisara during the final week of April.