Sirasa TV wins gold : Most outstanding sports promoter

Colombo (News 1st): Sirasa TV was awarded the gold medal as the Most Outstanding Sports Promoter of 2017/18 at the Presidential Sports Awards which was held in Colombo. Sports 1st Allianz Platinum Awards which was broadcast on Sirasa TV was awarded the respective gold medal. The Presidential Sports Awards was held in Colombo today (July 17), with the objective of celebrating and felicitating sportsmen, women, coaches and those who contributed to sports through various aspects. The event was held under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena. Parami Wasanthi Maristella was adjudged the Most Outstanding Upcoming Sportswoman of the year while athlete Aruna Dharshana was named the Most Outstanding Upcoming Sportsman. Sports 1st - Allianz Platinum Awards which was organised to commend sportsmen and women in the country was recognised as the most outstanding sports promoter of the year. Sports 1st - Allianz Platinum Awards was held in order to felicitate local sportsmen and women who performed exceptionally in the local and international sporting arena between December 2017 and December 2018. Following an islandwide promotional campaign, talented sportsmen and women were selected based on applications which were received. Speaking at the event Minister of Sports Harin Fernando noted;

"This World Cup taught us many lessons. Over the past few months I realised that in order to uplift a sport in a country, a clean and orderly administration must be set in place. We came to a decision today, to request all coaching staff attached to the National Cricket team to step down after the Bangladesh ODI series and to renegotiate their contracts. This is how things should be changed. Although the public wanted this change earlier, it was not possible as the World Cup was around the corner."