Navy’s Leading Engineering Mechanic RP Saman Kumara Siriwardana set new national record walking 586.1 kilometers

The Sri Lanka Navy’s Leading Engineering Mechanic RP Saman Kumara Siriwardana on 19th January 2024 set a new national record completing a challenging 586.1-kilometer walk. The epic walk spanned a total of 07 days, 11 hours, 17 minutes, and 14 seconds, encompassing the journey from Poonewa to the Independence Square, Colombo and back to Poonewa.

Leading Engineering Mechanic RP Saman Kumara Siriwardana surpassed the previous record, which was held by a Sri Lanka Army member. The earlier record involved covering a distance of 580.16 kilometers from Point Pedro to Dondra Head within a timeframe of 10 days, 12 hours, and 02 minutes, documented on 17th September 2023.

Starting from SLNS Pandukabhaya in Poonewa on 12th January, Leading Engineering Mechanic RP Saman Kumara Siriwardana arrived at the Independence Square, via the Anuradhapura – Puttalam route, in 04 days. Commencing the return journey from the Independence Square, he walked through Kadawatha, Warakapola, Polgahawela, Kurunegala, Dambulla, Mihinthale to Poonewa and completed the epic walk at SLNS Pandukabhaya on the evening of 19th January, with a new national record.

Following the guidance of the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera who is also the President of the Navy Sports Board, the Sri Lanka Navy made necessary arrangements ready for the walk which was conducted under the close supervision of the Ministry of Sports and subject to the evaluation of the University of Sri Jayawardenepura.

Under the conditions of this record-breaking process, the maximum duration one can walk in a day is limited to 12 hours. Following these specific criteria, Leading Engineering Mechanic RP Saman Kumara Siriwardana not only achieved his objective but also set a new record for Sri Lanka.

Advancing boldly toward the objective with remarkable resolve, the recent achievement made by Leading Engineering Mechanic RP Saman Kumara Siriwardana brought immense honour to the Navy and Sri Lanka.

The certificate awarding with regard to the new national record was held on completion of the walk and it was attended by senior officers of the North Central Naval Command, officials of the Ministry of Sports and the University of Sri Jayawardenepura as well as a group of near and dear ones of Leading Engineering Mechanic RP Saman Kumara Siriwardana.