Final rites of Sri Lanka Olympian Kosala Sahabandu today

By Susil Premalal

The final rites of former Sri Lanka Olympian Kosala Sahabandu will be held today (16) at 4.00 p.m. at the Boralesgamuwa Crematorium.
Sahabandu, regarded as one of Sri Lanka’s finest athletes, passed away at the age of 76 after a period of illness.

He was a member of the Sri Lanka team that won the gold medal in the 4x400m relay at the Asian Games in Tehran. He also represented Sri Lanka in the 4x400m relay at the 1980 Summer Olympics and the Asian Games.

In 1974, Sahabandu set a national record in the 800m and last represented Sri Lanka at the Asian Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

A leading member and official of the Celanese Track and Field Athletic Club (CT&FC), he was also a standout athlete at Mahinda College, Galle, during the Public Schools Athletic Championships in the 1970s.

His remains will lie at the Boralesgamuwa Funeral Parlour until 3.00 p.m. today before the cremation later in the evening.