Niroshan Wijekoon - first Sri Lankan to win a World Cup match Daily News (via HT Media Ltd.)
Pathmasiri Niroshan Bandara Wijekoon created history as the first badminton player to represent Sri Lanka at the Olympic Games in 1992 in Barcelona, Spain.
He was born in Bandarawela on February 10, 1964 and was educated at St. Thomas’ College, Bandarawela, Ananda College, Colombo and later went on to captain Royal College, Colombo.
Wijekoon made his debut in Sri Lankan National Badminton Championships in 1975 as an 11-year-old and went on to win 28 titles including nine Singles, 12 Doubles and seven Mixed Doubles.
Wijekoon started playing badminton at St. Thomas’ College from his young age and came under the guidance of some top coaches of the calibre of Ananda Alahakoon, A.R L. Wijesekera and L. R. Ariyananda in the beginning of his career. He was immensely benefited through their coaching and had the distinction of winning the Under-12, Under-14, Under-16, Under-1