Sports
Isuru, Uththara establish new meet records in the 400 metres
Western Province Schools Athletics Championships
by Reemus Fernando
Sprinter Isuru Kaushalya emerged as the strongest contender for the best athlete’s award in the boys’ category of the Western Province Schools Athletics Championships after setting a new meet record in the Under 20 boys’ 400 metres on day three of the event at the Sugathadasa Stadium on Tuesday.
The athlete from Ananda Sastralaya, Matugama clocked 47.4 seconds to establish a new meet record in the Under 20 boys’ 400 metres final yesterday. He was the firm favourite for the title after clocking a notable sub 47 seconds feat at the recently held Sir John Tarbat Senior Athletics Championships.
With his notable performance, Kaushalya became the first athlete in history to have clocked sub 48 seconds in the 400 metres at these championships.
The World Junior Championships (2021) participant was also the winner of the 200 metres of that age category as he clocked 21.4 seconds to win on Sunday. He was also among the favourites for the 100 metres title after qualifying for today’s final with a feat of 10.9 seconds. He has not competed at national level in the 100 metres and might skip the final to make space for a specialist sprinter to take a place on the podium.
In the Under 20 girls’ 400 metres Jayeshi Uththara of Holy Cross College, Gampaha slashed more than a second off the existing meet record to win her pet event. Uththara who has turned tables on her senior counterparts at national level competitions won the title with comprehensive ease as she clocked 55.9 seconds to win.
In the Under 18 boys’ 400 metres, Thurstan’s Salamuthu Jayathilaka clocked 48.6 seconds to win, while Shehani Wijetunga of Ave Maria Convent Negombo won the first place in the corresponding girls’ event with a feat of 58.4 seconds. She was also the winner of the 200 metres on Sunday.
Shalomi Rashni of Lyceum Wattala won the Under 16 girls’ 400 metres in a time of 59.9 seconds. Oshada Jayamanne won the Under 16 boys’ 400 metres for St. Benedict’s when he clocked 51.1 seconds.
The results of other events held yesterday were not available for media.
The uncapped trio of Malki Madara, Dewmi Vihanga and Piumi Badalge are among six changes to the women’s squad that toured New Zealand earlier this year, as Sri Lanka named a 17-member squad for the upcoming ODI tri-series against India and South Africa starting April 27.
There are recalls for veteran Inoka Ranaweera as well as Hasini Perera ans and Hansima Karunaratne. Making way are Imesha Dulani, Sachini Nisansala, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Chethana Vimukthi and the injured Udeshika Prabodhani.
The three new faces, 24-year-old spinner Madara made her senior debut during last month’s T20I series against New Zealand, impressing with a match-winning three-wicket haul in her first game.
She joins a strong spin contingent, bolstered by the returning Ranaweera, and one that also has the likes of Sugandika Kumari, Inoshi Priyadharshani, star allrounder. Kavisha Dilhari , and the uncapped 19-year-old spin-bowling allrounder Vihanga.
Another player who will be eyeing an ODI debut will be 18-year-old batting allrounder Rashmika Sewwandi, who was part of Sri Lanka’s squad at the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year. Sewwandi is one of just two seamers in the squad, alongside Achini Kulasuriya.
The squad is largely settled on the batting front, with skipper Chamari Athapaththu leading a mostly unchanged unit which includes Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva and Anushka Sanjeewani.
There are, however, slots for the taking with 17-year-old Manudi Nanayakkara one to keep an eye on, after she scored a brisk 35 in her only opportunity on the tour of New Zealand. Panadura CC captain Badalge, 29, will also be hoping for a first opportunity with the national side.
Sri Lanka play India in Colombo on April 27 to begin the series.
Sri Lanka squad for women’s ODI tri-series:
Chamari Athapaththu (capt), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Vishmi Gunaratne, Nilakshika Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Manudi Nanayakkara, Hasini Perera, Achini Kulasuriya, Piumi Badalge, Dewmi Vihanga, Hansima Karunaratne, Malki Madara, Inoshi Priyadarshini, Sugandika Kumari, Rashmika Sewwandi, Inoka Ranaweera
(Cricinfo)
In a bold stride towards sporting excellence, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) unveiled a state-of-the-art swimming pool at the National High Performance Center, located within the iconic R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.
The eight-lane, semi-Olympic standard facility was ceremonially declared open by the Honorable Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Sunil Kumara Gamage, at the invitation of SLC President Shammi Silva. SLC’s Ex-Co members too were present at the occasion alongside former Test captain and current Head Coach Sanath Jayasuriya.
National women’s team captain Chamari Atapattu and her teammates also marked their presence, signaling the pool’s immediate value to elite athletes.
Spanning 25 meters in length and 21 meters in width, with a depth between 1.2 and 1.8 meters, the new pool is a cornerstone of SLC’s ambitious National Pathway Program.
It aims to bolster player fitness, post-match recovery, and injury rehabilitation for the National, ‘A’ team, and the fast and spin bowling squads. Visiting international teams will also have access to the facility during Sri Lanka tours.
Fully equipped with modern changing rooms, first aid units, and athlete support amenities, the new aquatic addition is more than just a pool — it’s a symbol of SLC’s commitment to building a holistic, world-class training environment.
The High Performance Center already boasts a full gymnasium, an international-standard cricket ground, under-lights training facilities, a dedicated physiotherapy wing, and the acclaimed Brain Center for data-driven performance analysis.
Coming soon in Phase Two: a Jacuzzi, an ice bath, and a new indoor net complex — all part of Sri Lanka Cricket’s drive to stay ahead of the curve in global cricketing infrastructure.
The Grade A category Colombo Championships, which is the oldest tennis tournament of the country, gets underway for the 110th time on April 25 at the SLTA (playing section) courts at Green Path. The tournament has attracted a record number of participants which include the cream of Sri Lankan tennis players.
The title sponsor of the tournament is eye care provider ‘Vision Care’. In addition, this year it is also Co-sponsored by ‘Thambapanni Leisure’. Events ranging from juniors (Boys/Girls- under 12 to 18), men’s, women’s and veterans (for over 35, 45, 55 and 65) are being held, giving every segment of the tennis playing community an opportunity to participate.
Making his title sponsorship commitment, Janaka Fonseka, Managing Director of Vision Care said “we are very happy to be involved in this prestigious tournament for over a decade. We believe sport is vital for the health of the nation and are strongly committed to supporting the Colombo Championships. The objective of the tournament is in line with our corporate objectives and as such we want to be part of this wonderful event.
Sria Munasinghe, President of the SLTA Playing Section said “I would like to place on record my utmost appreciation of all the sponsors specially Vision Care for unstinted support during the last ten years and the Managing Director of Thambapanni Leisure Prashanth Dissanayake and others who wish to remain anonymous”. The organisers have received 1200 entries for this tournament.
-
Business5 days agoDIMO pioneers major fleet expansion with Tata SIGNA Prime Movers for ILM
-
News4 days agoFamily discovers rare species thought to be extinct for over a century in home garden
-
Features7 days agoNipping the two leaves and the bud
-
Features6 days agoProf. Lal Tennekoon: An illustrious but utterly unpretentious and much -loved academic
-
Features7 days agoAvurudu celebrations … galore
-
Foreign News4 days agoChina races robots against humans in Beijing half marathon
-
News7 days agoCounsel for Pilleyan alleges govt. bid to force confession
-
Editorial5 days agoSelective use of PTA