Sports

Nilani resolute despite heartbreak

Published

5 years ago

2021/07/7

Nilani Ratnayake would have been the only homegrown talent to have reached qualifying standards for Olympics had she received the necessary backing at the right time. Here she is seen stumbling at the final barrier at the 2019 Asian Championship in Doha. Despite stumbling, she could finish fourth.

Missing an Olympic berth: Does anyone care?

by Reemus Fernando

Steeplechase is not for the faint-hearted. The unique track event combines endurance, speed, and agility into a terrific athletic competition. When veteran coach Sajith Jayalal first saw Nilani Ratnayake, he found that she possessed those qualities and the strength, courage and determination that are required to be a champion steeplechaser. They worked hard for years and it paid dividends. She became the country’s highest ranked athlete (35th in world rankings) in any track and field event with just six months before the Tokyo Olympics. Athletics enthusiasts were almost certain that she would become the first steeplechaser competing for Sri Lanka at an Olympics this year. But lack of quality competitions and a technical faux pass at one of the local competitions meant that she would be ranked 46th in the ‘Road to Olympic Rankings,” when the deadline closed for qualification. Sri Lanka Athletics were hoping that a top ranked athlete would pull out and the World Athletics would grant her a place. But that was not to be as the world governing body offered a wildcard to 800 metres runner Nimali Liyanarachchi ending Ratnayake’s hopes.

Despite the huge upset Nilani has been resolute and has shown what she is made of. As soon as she came to know that she had not qualified for the quadrennial event she took to social media and congratulated the athletes who have qualified for Olympics and apologised to her supporters for failing to qualify.

However we reckon that it should be the other way around as the Sports Ministry, National Olympic Committee and the Sri Lanka Athletics have all failed to support her cause. The country’s Olympic team of nine sportsmen and women have only two who have reached qualifying standards. They are the Italy based sprinter Yupun Abeykoon and German based Swedish equestrian athlete Mathilda Karlsson. Ratnayake would have been the only homegrown talent to have qualified if she made the cut. All three above said institutions have done things to help Ratnayake in one way or the other but have they done what is required to maintain her ranking is a question that they should give serious thought to.

Hungarian steeplechaser Lili Anna Toth who is ranked 45th in ‘Road to Olympics Rankings and qualified and 46th ranked Nilani Ratnayake both have equal ranking points (1190).

Country’s sports authorities are taking things for granted. There was hardly anything done when Ratnayake complained that the barriers during the Selection Trial in April were higher than the usual height. She cleared (35) barriers which were higher than the usual height for the women’s discipline. Due to the technical faux pas she got injured (trying to clear higher barriers) and had to take two weeks off to recover.

When the track and field athletes were struggling to improve world rankings and when Sri Lanka Athletics were desperately looking for help to get international competitions for local athletes during the pandemic did National Olympic Committee and the Sports Ministry come to their rescue? Did sports authorities who see millions of rupees being spent to keep cricket aloft during the pandemic take even the least interest to help track and field athletes continue their training in a bio secure bubble?

Neither Nilani nor the fellow track and field athletes would complain. Despite the setback Nilani’s coach Jayalal believes that the South Asian Games double gold medallist would come stronger to compete for Sri Lanka at future events.

There had been other heart breaks for Nilani during the last couple of years. She was about to clinch a medal at the 2019 Asian Athletics Championships in Doha when she unfortunately stumbled at the last barrier and conceded the fourth place. But within months she overcame the disappointments and won gold medals at the South Asian Games. This time too, she would be determined to come back stronger ahead of a year full of international competitions. Her fighting spirits have inspired many who would have otherwise given up athletics.

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Sports

Rasara, Puvitharan rewrite meet records as National Athletics Championship begins

Published

39 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

39 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)