Twenty three year old Thilini Jayasinghe is a product of Mahamaya College, Kandy who has been shortlisted to take part in the Olympics in Beijing. Jayasinghe is the first ever woman shuttler in Sri Lanka to take part in Olympics.

She had a feeling that participating in Olympics would be out of bound for her since she was not within the required ranking of the World Badminton Federation. But the desire to take part in Olympics and bringing global recognition to Sri lanka has been her goal for many years since she started her badminton school career at the age of thirteen.

And on hearing that she was qualified for Beijing Olympics, she couldn’t believe the excitement. “I was thrilled. And my mum was the happiest of all as she encouraged me right through”. She seems unable to hide her feelings of rapture.

Her parents are lecturers at the University of Peradeniya. She has a brother who is studying Sport Science in Australia. Due to her busy sports career she says she couldn’t spare time for studies.

“I am too busy to do my studies. I enroled for a CIM course but couldn’t continue it since I had to go for tournaments abroad. I have finished my banking exams. I missed many class sessions and had to collect notes from friends. However I got through the banking exam stage - I. Presently I am busy practising for Olympics, and after that I have to continue my studies”

She has been granted duty leave from Sampath Bank where she is employed. She says that she receives help and encouragement from her seniors and colleagues at the bank.

She is feeling lonely and missing her parents in Kandy. She hasn’t got much friends in Colombo to hang out with. She is staying in a hostel room provided by the SLBA (Sri Lanka Badminton Association).

Her roommate is Nadeeka, Sri Lanka’s no three badminton player whom she hangs out with for shopping and dinner. Her practice sessions are from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and again 3.30 p.m.-6.00 p.m.

The only off day from practice during the week is Wednesday where she keeps free for her personal activities. She is eagerly waiting till saturday to rush to Kandy to visit her parents and most of her friends. She very often takes a train otherwise an inter city bus and travels alone.

She stays in the quarters of University of Peradeniya. While attending Mahamaya College, Kandy, first sport she engaged was swimming. Later on she hook to badminton. Apart from that she had been an athlete, girl guide and a member of western music choir.

Her friends and teachers had helped to balance her studies and sport. She has shown her prowess not only in sport but in studies as well. She has got 5Ds and 5Cs at the O/L and 3Cs in commerce stream at A/Ls.

Her first tour representing Sri Lanka was to India in 1999. Besides that, she has represented Sri Lanka at many tournaments in Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives, Japan, Indonesia, Jordan, Germany, Netherlands, Malaysia, Syria, Iran, Bahrain, Qatar, Australia and many more countries where she herself is unable to recall.

Being to many countries at a young age is a blessing because it helps to gather more experiences. “experience I received being in those countries is numerous.

Apart from participating in sports I could observer how life styles change from country to country. I could collect many memorable articles, and coins of many countries. I have a big coin and stamp collection”.

She is thankful to everyone who has rendered their service to be what she is. Minister Gamini Lokuge, Ministry of Sports, National Olympic Committee, Sri Lanka Badminton Interim Committee and her dear parents, Maiya (younger brother), Sampath Bank, friends at Mahamaya College and her best friend who is working in Dubai, she remembers with utmost respect and gratitude.

She is counting down to fly to Beijing because she is going to meet many of her foreign friends there. “When I was taking part in tournaments I used to hang out with foreign friends who also took part in games at the same time with me. We used to go out for dinners and shopping together. We enjoyed a lot.

Even after they went back to their countries still kept in touch with each other. When they heard that I was selected for Olympics they were very happy and wished me. I am looking forward to seeing them at the Olympics in Beijing this time”. She winded up the chat with a smile full of hopes.

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