Navy shooters crowned champions at Sharp Shooter Championship 2015

With a stunning performance, the Navy women shooters clinched the Overall Championship in the Open Division at the Sharp Shooter Championship 2015 held at the Hill Country Shooting Club Firing Range at Hanthana. The Director General Training, Rear Admiral Udaya Bandara, the President of the NRA in 2012/2013, complimented the Navy’s victory, winning the Championship in the Standard Division for seniors. The historic victory were further consolidated by the Women Championships in both Open and Production Divisions won by the Navy women shooters. To win the Overall Championship in the Open Division, SLN women shooters Petty Officer WGS Priyadarshani, Leading Seaman US Rodrigo and Leading Seaman WMNR Kumari beat all men and women teams for the first time in the shooting history. Woman Petty Officer WGS Priyadharshani and Leading Seaman JN Renuka were crowned as the Best Shooters in the Open and the Production Divisions respectively. Adding glory to the Navy's winning streak, Able Patrolman EKCU Kumara and Radio Electrician Mate KPGD Danushka were adjudged the Bianchi Champions in the Open and the Standard Divisions respectively.

Over two hundred competitors from the renowned shooting clubs in the island, including those of the tri-forces and police, took part in the Sharp Shooter Championship 2015 organized by the Hill Country Shooting Club in collaboration with the National Rifle Association. The competitions, comprising shot gun and hand gun firing, were conducted from 30^th to 31^st July 2015 under Open, Production and Standard Divisions. The winners were presented with the championship trophies, prizes and certificates at the closing ceremony held on 01^st August with the President of the National Rifle Association Major General Sudantha Ranasinghe gracing the occasion as the Chief Guest.

The victorious SLN shooters were coached by the former national champion Inoka Weerasinghe. They are being trained under the guidance of the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, a well-known shooter and President of the NRA in 2011/2012, who takes a keen interest in promoting the sport discipline in the Navy. Captain Rohan Dewendra functions as the Chairman Sri Lanka Navy Musketry Pool and Lieutenant Commander Sujith Kumara officiates as its Secretary.