Ray Wijewardene

Ray Wijewardene entered the Hong Kong International Yachting Meet in 1966 in a yacht which he borrowed for this purpose and managed to secure the third place. This was a tremendous achievement considering the fact that there were several top competitors at this meet. Thereafter, at the Far East International Yachting contest held in Bangkok, Thailand Ray was placed third.

Since these achievements were made close upon the Olympics to be held in Mexico and because he had even defeated the Olympic Champions in these events, the Ceylon Olympic and Commonwealth Games Federation decided to send Ray for the Mexico Olympics. At the Olympics in 1968, he was placed 29th among 36 contestants. At the Olympics he had contested in the fin class and from among Asian competitors Ray was the best.

He also participated at the 1970 Asian Games and won a Silver Medal while competing in the Enterprise Class event. Ray who had a BSC (Agriculture) Degree from the Cambridge University later left the island to work as the Head of the Agricultural Research Division in Nigeria. He later obtained a PhD in agriculture. Having returned from Nigeria on completion of his assignment, Ray served as Chairman of several companies including Walkers Limited.