Palk Strait swimming expedition: Namal praises Syamala Goli

COLOMBO: Indian swimmer Syamala Goli successfully swam across the Palk Strait from Talaimannar to Dhanushkodi in nearly 14 hours.

Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa said on Twitter: “Congratulations Ms. Syamala Goli on completing your mission  and having made it across Palk Strait! Your feat is a shining example of determination & commitment! I hope it will serve as inspiration for years to come!”

C. Velupillai Kandaiah Sivagnanam, former chairman of the Northern Provincial Council in Sri Lanka, flagged off the 30 km Palk Bay Swimming expedition by Syamala Goli on Thursday.

The endeavor symbolizes India–Sri Lanka connectivity at the people’s level and their close and friendly ties through millennia, the Indian High Commission said in a release.

The ace swimmer, 47, becomes the second woman in the world and 13th swimmer to have accomplished the challenging feat.

The Indian High Commission congratulated her for the marvelous feat.