Brandix daredevil Nilantha sets another abseiling record





Nilantha (right) is felicitated by his fellow associates at Brandix Activewear Koggala

A fascination for scaling heights at speed has landed Nilantha De Soyza a 10th abseiling record in Sri Lanka, but the Brandix daredevil is not about to hang up his trusty ropes.

Nilantha’s latest feat of abseiling down the ‘mini world’s end’ at the Knuckles Mountain range in complete darkness on the 8th of August has won the young man the admiration of his peers as well as his superiors at the country’s largest apparel exporting group.

Congratulating Nilantha on becoming the first man to abseil the 800 foot precipice at night, Brandix Activewear CEO Ms Ranga Ranmadugala said: “We are proud of Nilantha’s courage and conviction in his chosen sport. It is risky, but he takes calculated risks with careful preparation and assessment, much in the same way we progress in our business. Nilantha, who is a part of our production team at Koggala, shows great diligence in accomplishing his tasks in a structured way.”

Having chosen to make his attempt at eight minutes and eight seconds after 8 pm on the 8th of August, Nilantha completed the abseil in just 45 seconds, setting a daunting challenge for any fellow climber who may follow him. This was his second abseiling record in 2008, having climbed down the Diyaluma Falls at Koslanda in just one minute and 25 seconds on Independence Day in February this year, beating his own previous record of 6 minutes and 12 seconds set in May 2004 by a huge margin.

“The support and sponsorship of Brandix has been an invaluable source of inspiration to me,” the young adventure sports enthusiast said. “I like to believe that in my own way, I represent the spirit of Brandix, of seeking and overcoming challenges with determination and courage.” He said there are many other new abseiling challenges that are now beckoning him.

Among the other abseiling records held by Nilantha De Soyza are World’s End – Nuwara Eliya (1 hour), Pahiyan Gala – Matugama (18 minutes, 23 seconds), Mini World’s End – Badulla (15 minutes, 45 seconds), Bambarakanda – Badulla (5 minutes, 20 seconds) and Knuckles in day time (40 seconds).

A consistent supporter of sporting teams and individuals who represent Sri Lanka, Brandix has sponsored Sri Lanka’s champion weight lifter Chinthana Vidanage, the Sri Lanka Schools Swimming Team that competed at the recent Asian Schools Swimming Championship in Malaysia, the Sri Lanka Men’s and Women’s Golf teams, and an eight-member contingent of exceptional undergraduate athletes from the University of Kelaniya that participated at the World University Games (Universiade) in 2007. Sri Lanka’s colourful fast bowling sensation Lasith Malinga is also employed by Brandix.