President Ranil Wickremesinghe met Akila Thirunayaki who recently clinched two gold medals in the 5000m and 1500m events, along with a bronze medal in the 800m event at the recent Asia Masters Athletics Championship in the Philippines.
Thirunayaki is a 72-year-old retired prison officer who showcased her athletic prowess from an early age and holds the position of the sixth sibling in a family comprising four brothers and nine sisters.
She is a resident of Mulliyavalai, Mullaitivu.
Having served as a prison officer before retiring, Thirunayaki has not only represented the country but has also clinched gold, silver, and bronze medals in various veterans’ tournaments held in Thailand, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and India.