An army sharpshooter who has been a veteran in several battles with the LTTE has been selected to compete in the Beijing Olympics in August, officials said.

Staff Sgt. E.M. Senananayake of the Sinha Regiment excelled in the Free-Style (Open) Pistol Shooting competition at the 11th Asian Shooting Tournament in Kuwait last year and with his team emerged victorious in the National Air Rifle and Pistol Shooting events in Kuwait breaking several records.

Pistol shooting is considered among the most challenging of the shooting events. Senananayke will compete with the world’s best marksmen in his favourite events at the Olympics.

A veteran in army operations in the north and east, Senanayake who joined the army on March 23, 1990 and underwent training at the Minneriya Infantry Training Centre was posted to the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment on June 6, 1990.

Unlike many other sportsmen and women who had joined services for benefits, Senanayake had faced the LTTE in the battlefield in Jaffna, Elephant Pass, Weli Oya and Vavuniya and proved his capabilities as a soldier before he was recognized for his sharp shooting abilities.

Having trained at the Diyatalawa Marksmen and Sniper Training School, Senanayake has brought honour to both his country and the army by his many successes both at national and international shooting competitions since 1997.

His team won the Silver during SAF Games in 1998 in Kathmandu. In 2004, he carried the Bronze medal during the 9th SAF Games in Islamabad and excelled once again in the Colmbo SAF Games.

A feature visible throughout his career is his single minded determination to succeed. Firing at the SAF Games in 2006 gave him three Silvers and one Bronze medal after his team competed open Pistol Shooting, Air Rifle Shooting and Centre Firing events.

He secured the National Pistol Firing Championship in 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 in Open Pistol Firing Championship and Air Rifle Shooting, bringing credit to the army and setting new records in the sports arena.

Born at Handaganawa, Randenigala in Mahiyangana on February 17, 1970 and educated at government schools in Handaganawa and Morayaya, Senananayake joined the Army on March 23, 1990 and underwent training at the Minneriya Infantry Training Centre.

His firing skills, well demonstrated during almost all military operations in northern and eastern war theatres in the recent past, qualified him to receive further training at Diyatalawa Marksmen and Sniper Training School in September 1997.

His senior officers were full of praise for his marksmanship and other contributions, made to the war in Jaffna, Elephant Pass, Welioya and Vavuniya.

He was absorbed into the National Firing Team thanks to efforts taken by his coach, Lieutenant Colonel D.B. Rajasinghe, a noted army marksman of his day.

Senananayke’s extensive training sessions were amply supported and conducted largely by Brigadier K.W. Edima, Colonel B.P. Kularathne and Lieutenant Colonel D.B. Rajasinghe who made him a world class marksman. (SF)

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