The Leading Aircraftsman Roshan Abeysundera was promoted to the rank of Corporal on April 15, 2021 by the Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana during the ceremony held at Air Force Headquarters. The ceremony was organized in recognition of his performance of swimming from Thalaimannar to Dhanushkodi in India through Palk Strait and back covering a distance of 59.3 Kms with a time of 28 hours, 19 minutes and 43 seconds on April 11, 2021, thereby breaking the Asian Long Distance Swimming Record in the process.
The Commander congratulated him on his dedication that led him to success from humble beginnings. The event was attended by Director Ground Operations, Director Sports and the Secretary of the Air Force Sports Council as well.
Corporal Abeysundera completed the first leg in 10 Hours and 31 minutes there by creating a new Sri Lankan Record.
Corporal Abeysundera also renewed V.S. Kumar Anandan's 50-year-old record which was set in 1971 by swimming the Palk Strait in 51 hours.
