Sports

Nilani improves on her ‘Road to Oregon 2022’ rankings

Published

4 years ago

2022/04/26

Sahan Weerasooriya

Ratnayake’s record breaking feat at the National Athletics Championship has helped her improve on her rankings.

by Reemus Fernando

Steeplechaser Nilani Ratnayake has improved on her ‘Road to Oregon 2022’ rankings following her record breaking feat at the centenary National Athletics Championships which concluded last week.

Ratnayaka has climbed up to the 29th ‘quota place’ position in the World Athletics ‘Road to Oregon 2022’ rankings which determines the participants for the track and field’s prestigious world event which is second only to the Olympics.

The athlete trained by Sajith Jayalal clocked 9:40.24 seconds to establish a new national record at the landmark event held at Diyagama. She lowered her own national record to be in contention to make the team for the Asian Games.

Sri Lanka Athletics had set tough selection standards for both the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games and Ratnayake produced a dominant performance despite lack of competition.

The record breaking performance has earned her 1213 points.

The Sri Lanka Army athlete has also improved on her world rankings. She has climbed 15 positions up to secure the 45th position in the world rankings.

In Asia, she is ranked fourth, while her 9:40.24 seconds is the second fastest time in her pet event in Asia this year.

Currently she is the only Sri Lankan athlete to have secured a top position in the rankings to be eligible to represent the country at the World Championships in Oregon.

World Athletics has allocated 45 places for the women’s steeplechase. While 24 athletes are selected through qualifying standards, 21 athletes will be selected according to world rankings.

Though Ratnayake is currently ranked within the required range, her participation in the World Championship will depend on her ability to maintain the ranking until June 26th, the cutoff date of the qualifying period.

Incidentally, Ratnayake was Sri Lanka’s front runner for a better part of the qualifying period in the race to earn the ticket to Tokyo Olympics last year. But lack of top grade competitions hindered her chances of making it to the Olympics as she could not maintain a top ranking.

Despite doing well last year, she was dropped from the Sports Ministry funded ‘Super Pool’, losing the benefits which she could have otherwise enjoyed.

Ratnayake first took the national record of the women’s 3,000 metres steeplechase under her belt in 2013. She lost it to Eranga Dulakshi in 2014 before regaining it in the following her. Since then she has not only held the record but has also remained unbeaten in her event.

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Sports

Rasara, Puvitharan rewrite meet records as National Athletics Championship begins

Published

40 mins ago

2026/09/5

Thilina Walpola

Rasara Wijesuriya

The 104th National Athletics Championship got off to an impressive start at the Diyagama Stadium, with Rasara Wijesuriya and Arunthavarasa Puvitharan producing record-breaking performances on an action-packed opening day.

‎Rasara dominated the women’s 10,000m to win the gold medal in 33:32.77 seconds, setting a new meet record in the process. G. W. O. N. Fonseka finished second in 38:25.55, while H. I. S. Fernando took the bronze in 39:00.69.

‎Puvitharan provided another record-breaking highlight in the men’s pole vault, clearing 5.10m to establish a new meet record. H. S. Eranga Janith followed with 5.00m for silver, while M. H. I. Sandaruwan secured bronze with 4.90m.

‎The men’s 10,000m produced a closely contested battle, with M. Kobinathan claiming the national title in 30:58.50. M. S. A. Fernando was second in 31:10.08, while D. P. S. S. Senanayaka completed the podium in 31:22.72.

‎As expected Madushani Herath secured the women’s triple jump title with a best effort of 13.60m, finishing ahead of I. S. W. Arachchi, who recorded 13.13m. G. I. S. Lankathilaka took third with 13.00m.

‎In the men’s shot put, Suseenthirakumar Mithunraj produced a winning throw of 16.41m to take gold. W. J. R. Alwis was second with 14.91m, while R. S. Jayawardana secured bronze with 14.47m.

‎Ovini Chandrasekara completed the women’s shot put podium-topping performance, winning gold with a throw of 12.82m. V. D. V. Gimhani took silver with 12.29m and A. D. W. Mendis won bronze with 11.84m.

‎With two new meet records already providing the opening-day highlights in thr morning, the championship has begun on a high note, setting the stage for further strong performances as Sri Lanka’s leading athletes battle for national honours.

Sports

Kusal Mendis, Binura Fernando ruled out of T20I series in England

Published

40 mins ago

2026/09/5

Thilina Walpola

Charith Asalanka is currently playing for St Lucia Kings in the CPL (Cricinfo)

Kusal Mendis and Binura Fernando have been ruled out of Sri Lanka’s upcoming T20I series against England with the SLC saying that the two were “still undergoing rehabilitation” after injuries picked up at the 2026 Lanka Premier League.

The update came just over a day after the two were named in the 16-member squad, with Kusal retained as captain of both the T20I and the ODI sides.Charith Asalanka, who had returned to the vice-captain’s position for the series, will now lead the side in the T20Is. Though Kusal hasn’t been ruled out of the ODIs just yet, were he to miss out, Asalanka, as the designated vice-captain, might step in there too.

Kusal has been out of action since July 19 with a right hamstring injury, while Binura hasn’t played since August 5, SLC putting his absence down to a back injury.

Pavan Rathnayake, the 24-year-old top-order batter, has replaced Kusal in the T20I touring party, while Dilshan Madushanka, the fast bowler who was in the squad for the Tests against India recently but didn’t get to play, has come in for Binura.

Asalanka returned to the leadership group three months after being deposed as ODI captain and six months after being sidelined from the T20I unit. He last played a T20I in February this year, but is currently part of St Lucia Kings’ line-up at CPL 2026. His returns have been mediocre, though: 93 runs at a strike rate of 124 from six innings.

The T20Is will be played on September 15 (Southampton), September 17 (Cardiff) and September 19 (Manchester), while the ODIs will take place on September 22 (Chester-le-Street), September 24 (Leeds) and September 27 (The Oval).

Sri Lanka T20I squad for the tour of England

Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara (wk), Lahiru Udara (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (capt), Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Tharindu Rathnayake, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga, Nuwan Thushara, Dilshan Madushanka

(Cricinfo)

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Kusal Mendis, Binura Fernando ruled out of T20I series in England

Published

7 hours ago

2026/09/4

Priyan

Kusal Mendis hasn't played competitively since July 19 (Cricinfo)

Kusal Mendis and Binura Fernando have been ruled out of Sri Lanka’s upcoming T20I series against England, with the SLC saying that the two were “still undergoing rehabilitation” after injuries picked up at the 2026 Lanka Premier League.

Kusal has been out of action since July 19 with a right hamstring injury, while Binura hasn’t played since August 5, SLC putting his absence down to a back injury.

Sri Lanka T20I squad for the tour of England

(Cricinfo)