SL marathoners to return after Macau refuse on arrival visas

by Reemus Fernando 

Marathoners Thala Warige Rathnapala and Wathsala Herath have been refused on arrival visas in Macau jeopardizing their chances of taking part  in the Galaxy Entertainment Macau International Marathon.

According to Sri Lanka Athletics the athletes and their coach Sajith Jayalal were scheduled to return from Macau in the evening yesterday after numerous attempts by the National Olympic Committee and Sri Lanka Athletics to obtain visas on arrival for them to take part in the international marathon found futile.

The event was scheduled for Sunday.

The Macau organisers had guaranteed the National Olympic Committee, that on arrival visas would be issued for the Sri Lankan Athletes to take part in the marathon.

Saman Kumara Gunawardhana , the secretary of Sri Lanka Athletics said that his institution was disappointed and it was incomprehensible as the expenses of the tour including air fair and the costs of visas had been covered by the Macau organisers themselves.

The invitation for the event had been sent through the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka Athletics selected Rathnapala and Herath for the international event as they were the winners of the last National Sports Festival marathon.

Rathnapala is the first athlete from the wedda community to win a national athletic event.