Sports

School girls fight for Asian Games berths in the women’s 400 metres

Published

4 years ago

2022/04/23

The duel between Nadeesha Ramanayake (left) and Tharushi Karunaratne will be one of the main attractions when the postponed events of the 100th National Athletics Championship is held at Diyagama today.

by Reemus Fernando

Men’s and women’s javelin throws and the 100 and 400 metres sprints are the main attractions when the postponed disciplines of the centenary National Athletics Championships are held at Diyagama today.

Sri Lanka Athletics had to postpone as many as 12 disciplines of the centenary National Championship to April 23 after almost the entire final day of the landmark event was affected by rain at Diyagama on April 10.

For the second consecutive national championship, school girls will be the closest rivals that defending champion Nadeesha Ramanayake has to compete against in the women’s 400 metres. In the 400 metres heats held on April 9th, Ramanayake clocked 53.73 seconds to win her heat. Apart from Ramanayake all others who clocked sub 56 seconds and the winners in the other heats were school girls. In the absence of Dilshi Kumarasinghe, who is nursing an injury, Ramanayake is the only senior contender. Kumarasinghe’s absence had forced athletics selectors to rethink fielding a mix relay team for the Asian Games.

The Sri Lanka Athletics had planned to field a mix relay team when the new discipline makes its quadrennial Games debut. But the injury to Kumarasinghe has raised concerns. Kumarasinghe’s training partner, young Tharushi Karunaratne of Ratnayake Central is currently punching above her weight and is expected to produce an interesting dual. It will be interesting to see whether she could deliver something special today. At the last Trial held in March Karunaratne turned tables on Ramanayake. Irrespective of the performances there is the prospect of a couple of school girls getting the nod for the Asian Games if Sri Lanka Athletics pick a women’s 4×400 metres relay team.

Jayeshi Uththara who returned a time of 54.96 seconds and Lakshima Mendis (55.74 secs) are the others who will be vying for honours in the women’s 400 metres.

The men’s 400 metres is heading towards an interesting finish with the Asian Junior Championship medallists Anura Dharshana and Pabasara Niku producing the fast performances in the heats. Niku clocked 46.99 seconds in the heats and the country’s fastest time this year belongs to Dharshana who clocked 46.37 seconds in the Trial held in March. Sri Lanka Athletics is however looking for sub 46 seconds to pick an athlete for the individual event at the Asian Games. The only athletes to run sub 46 seconds during the last five years are Dharshana and Kumarge. The latter running in the slowest heat of the day had a time of 48.09 seconds on April 10. Have they gained enough speed during the last 12 days to match the qualifying standards of 45.70 seconds is the big question?

Olympian Sumedha Ranasinghe is the only athlete to have reached locally set qualifying standards for the Asian Games in the men’s category. His 81.79 metres mark recorded in March is the third furthest throw in Asia this year. He will be eager to come up with strong performances today to further establish his place as an international medal prospect. Apart from Sumedha, the US based high jumper Ushan Thivanka is the only athlete in the men’s category to have reached qualifying standards for the Asian event.

In the women’s Javelin throw Dilhani Lekamge will be looking to reach the 58 metres mark and will be up against a field inclusive of up an coming H.D. Maduwanthi and Olympian Nadeeka Lakmali.

The men’s 100 metres heats were held without the two fastest men. While former national record holder Himasha Eshan remains suspended, current record holder Yupun Abeykoon is based in Italy. In their absence Chamod Yodhasinghe heads into today’s final rounds as the favourite. His was the fastest time in the heats.

The women’s 100 metres is expected to be a contest between Shelinda Jansen, Amesha de Silva and Medhani Jayamanne. De Silva is the favourite. She clocked 11.63 seconds in the heats and would be gunning for the 11.40 seconds to qualify for the Asian Games.

The men’s triple jump, women’s high jump, women’s shot put and the men’s 1,500 metres are the other events that will be held today.

Meanwhile the special trial will be held for the men’s long jump after athletes raised objections against the standard of the take off board used at the National Championships. An official said that the result of the men’s long jump at the National Championship will not be changed. The men’s long jump event will be held as a separate event and will only be considered for selections.

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Sports

Sri Lanka women eye giant-killing act under Siddons

Published

1 hour ago

2026/04/8

Sahan Weerasooriya

Jamie Siddons

Sri Lanka have turned to seasoned Australian campaigner Jammie Siddons to steady the ship and sharpen their edge, with the new women’s head coach making it clear that toppling heavyweights, not merely making up the numbers, will be the name of the game.

Siddons, a well-travelled coach with miles on the clock, has set his sights firmly on the upcoming Women’s World Cup in England, where Sri Lanka will open proceedings against the hosts at Edgbaston in June. It’s a baptism by fire, England in their own backyard, but the message from the dressing room is simple: try and beat top teams regularly.

Drawn alongside England, West Indies, New Zealand, Ireland and Scotland in a six-team group, Sri Lanka know there’s little room for passengers. It’s sink or swim.

“The World Cup is our big focus and we’ve got some tough games coming up,” Siddons told reporters on the sidelines of a floodlit training session at the CCC. “England at home will be a hard nut to crack. West Indies and New Zealand are quality sides as well.”

Before the main event, Sri Lanka will have a dress rehearsal in Bangladesh, a chance to blood fresh faces.

“We’re heading to Bangladesh before the World Cup and that gives us an opportunity to look at some of the new players coming through,” Siddons added, casting an eye on the next crop.

Sri Lanka’s women have made steady strides over the past two years under Rumesh Rathnayake, but as any seasoned observer will tell you, fine margins often decide games at this level and there are still a few loose ends to tie up.

Fielding, particularly in the deep, has been their Achilles’ heel. Dropped catches have cost them dear, while a lack of firepower with the bat has meant they’ve often been caught playing catch-up against the game’s heavyweights; Australia, England and India.

“From a bowling perspective, we need a few more tricks in the bag. The girls have to develop variations, slower balls, cutters and cut down the boundaries. That’s something we’ve been working on,” he said, underlining the need to outthink rather than outmuscle opponents.

For years, Sri Lanka have leaned heavily on the broad shoulders of Chamari Atapattu, their talisman, their match-winner, their go-to player when the chips are down. Siddons knows that while Chamari remains the crown jewel, cricket is no one-woman show.

“She’s our major player and we’ve depended a lot on her,” he admitted. “But we need a few more to put their hands up. Chamari still has plenty to offer.”

Encouragingly, Siddons has already spotted bright talents in the pace department, a rare commodity in the women’s game in Sri Lanka.

“I’ve seen a couple of very exciting fast bowling talents who haven’t played much yet. They could be key for us,” he said, hinting at new-ball options that could ruffle a few feathers.

Off the field, Sri Lanka Cricket has invested heavily over the last five years, the board has cast the net wide taking the game to schools, strengthening domestic competitions and ensuring a steady pipeline of talent.

There has been no shortage of cricket either, with bilateral series home and away giving players valuable time in the middle. The Under-19 side is currently cutting its teeth in Australia, while development squads are being kept busy with regular tours and fixtures.

Central contracts and match fees are now part of the furniture, a far cry from the hand-to-mouth existence of yesteryear, though there remains room for improvement.

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Sports

Deemantha’s unbeaten century sets up thrilling final-day finish

Published

1 hour ago

2026/04/8

Sahan Weerasooriya

Thusindu Deemantha

An absorbing contest is on the cards during the morning session on the final day as the next 28 overs are likely to decide the finalist from the first semi final of the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ tournament between St. Joseph’s College and Prince of Wales College at the D.H.H. Ground, Madampella today.

‎The semi-final moved towards a tense first innings finish after Prince of Wales reached 242 for five at stumps on the second day in reply to St. Joseph’s commanding first innings total of 354.

‎Open batsman Thusindu Deemantha played a remarkable innings of patience and determination, remaining unbeaten on 102 to keep the Cambrians’ hopes alive. His knock clearly reflected Prince of Wales’ strategy of batting for first innings points against the strong Darley Road outfit.

‎Deemantha displayed admirable grit to anchor the innings, facing as many as 248 deliveries during his stay at the crease. His unbeaten century included eight boundaries and he is set to resume his innings for a third consecutive day today after having first walked in to bat on Monday evening.

‎From the outset it was evident that Prince of Wales were aiming to stretch their innings as long as possible in pursuit of first innings advantage. According to tournament regulations, the first innings is restricted to 120 overs and the Cambrians now have 28 overs remaining to surpass the Josephian total.

‎St. Joseph’s bowlers will be eager to make early breakthroughs and expose the lower order to their formidable spin trio of Vigneswaran Akash, Vishwa Peiris and Nushan Perera. The three spinners dominated proceedings on the second day, accounting for 76 of the 92 overs bowled to Prince of Wales.

‎While Nushan Perera and Vishwa Peiris maintained tight control with economy rates below 2.5 runs per over, Akash bowled his 20 overs for just over three runs an over. Peiris was the most successful among them with two wickets.

‎For Prince of Wales, Oshan Maneesha contributed a valuable 38 runs while Gavesha Fernando played an important supporting role. Fernando joined Deemantha in a crucial 108-run fourth wicket partnership that steadied the innings and carried the Cambrians closer to the Josephian total.

‎With Deemantha firmly set at the crease and the Cambrians still needing to close the gap, the opening session today promises a gripping battle as both teams fight for a place in the final. (RF)