22nd November 2022 18:33:56 Hours
Sri Lanka Army Inter Regiment Elle Tournament (men) and Inter Battalion Elle Tournament (women) were held during 14 - 21 November 2022 at the Diyagama Mahinda Rajapaksha International Stadium on a grand scale.
More than 450 Elle players belonging to sixteen Regiments of the Army, including five woman battalions vied for supremacy in the tournament. Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI) and Sri Lanka Army Service Corps teams closely competed in the men’s finals while 4 (V) Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps and 5 (V) Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps entered the finals.
In the men’s category, Sri Lanka Light Infantry Elle team beat the Sri Lanka Army Service Corps team and won the champion trophy while the Sri Lanka National Guard secured third place in the tournament amidst roars of applause.
Private Balasooriya of the Sri Lanka Light Infantry was adjudged the Best player in the Inter Regiment Elle Championship - 2022. Lance Corporal Jayarathne RASH of the Sri Lanka Army Service Corps and Private Kalhara DADC of the Sri Lanka Army Service Corps received awards as the Best Fielder and the Best Batsman respectively.
Meanwhile, in the women’s category 5 (V) Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps Elle team emerged as champions to claim the trophy beating the 4 (Volunteer) Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps Elle team. However 7 Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps team secured 3rd place in the tournament.
Corporal Damayanthi MNLK of 5 (V) Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps was adjudged the Best Women player in the Inter Battalion Elle Championship. Lance Corporal Samanmali of 5 (V) Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps and Lance Corporal Dharmadasa of 5 (V) Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps were awarded as the Best women fielder and the Best woman batsman respectively.
All the arrangements for this tournament have been properly coordinated at the location by the Sri Lanka Army Elle Committee on the direction of Major General D M K D B Pussella RWP RSP, the Chairman of Sri Lanka Army Elle Committee and the Commander Security Forces (West) with the support of the Sri Lanka Army Directorate of sports.
Major General T J Kodithuwakku RWP RSP ndu, Chief of Staff - Army Headquarters graced the closing ceremony as the Chief Guest. Major General C D Weerasuriya RWP RSP ndu, Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General W M R W W H J B Wanigasekera USP, Master General Ordnance, Major General M G W W W M C B Wickramasinghe RWP RSP ndu psc Adjutant General, Centre Commandants, few Brigade Commanders, senior officers, officers, Sport officers, Other Ranks and a huge gathering of Elle fans witnessed the finals. In addition, various colourful events were also consisted to beatify this tournament.
Major General D M K D B Pussella RWP RSP, Chairman of Sri Lanka Army Elle Committee participated in the opening ceremony as the Chief Guest and read the opening declaration on the first day, 14 November 2022.
