Sports
Akalanka tops list as four athletes reach qualifying standards
Asian Youth Athletics Championships- Selection Trial
by Reemus Fernando
Ambagamuwa MV hurdler Ayomal Akalanka continued the trend set by the former students of his school as he reached qualifying standards for the Asian Youth Athletics Championships at Diyagama on Tuesday.
The athlete trained by veteran coach Anura Bandara clocked an impressive 52.18 seconds to win the boys’ 400 metres hurdles. Reigning champion of the Under 18 400 m hurdles in all three major national events, namely, the Junior Nationals, Sir John Tarbat Senior Championships and the All Island Schools Games, Akalanka bettered the locally set qualifying standard by nearly two seconds to book the ticket to Uzbekistan where the fifth edition of the Asian Youth Championship will be held in April.
Akalanka is the latest hurdler from his school to earn qualifying standards to represent Sri Lanka at an international event. He follows in the footsteps of Yamani Dulanjali who won gold in the girls’ 400m hurdles at the inaugural edition of the Asian Youth Championships in Doha in 2015 and Dhanuka Dharshana, who represented the country at last year’s World Junior Championships.
Akalanka had little competition in winning yesterday as the second-placed Shashintha Silva of St. Sebastian’s College, Kandana clocked 55.98 seconds.
D.S.Senanayake College,Colombo athlete Lesandu Arthavidu who won a medal at the last edition of the Asian Youth Championships cleared the two metres mark to reach qualifying standards in the boys’ high jump. Nilupul Pehesara Thenuja of Vijitha Central, Dickwella also cleared the same height to emerge as yet another prospect.
In the boys’ pole vault, Maris Stella College,Negombo athlete Malindarathna Silva cleared 4.65 metres to match standards.
In the girls’ category, Nirmali Wickramasinghe of Wickramabahu National School Gampola came almost close to matching the qualifying standard in the girls’ 800 metres as she finished in a time of 2:15.80 seconds (qualifying standard 2:15.50secs).
She will be competing to match standards in the 1500 metres today.
Latest News
Heat Index likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 28 March 2026, valid for 29March 2026.
Heat index, the temperature felt on the human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
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Tharanga shatters national javelin record again
Rumesh Tharanga created history with yet another world leading throw that shattered his own national javelin record at the Champions Track and Field event at Diyagama on Saturday.
The massive 89.37 metres throw, when recognized by World Athletics is set to become the fourth furthest throw in the history of the Asian region.
Despite little competion from his rivals, Tharanga rose like a champion of an entirely different league when he delivered the record breaking feat in his final attempt.
Tharanga had a world leading mark of 83.07 metres for the year coming into this meet. His national record of 86.50 metres was from August 2025. (RF)
Latest News
Woods charged with driving under influence after crash
Tiger Woods has been charged with driving under the influence after rolling his car in a crash in Florida, police have confirmed.
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office said the 15-time major champion was also charged with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test.
Woods, 50, rolled his Land Rover after clipping a pressure cleaner truck while trying to overtake it at “a high rate of speed”, according to Sheriff John Budensiek.
The golfer, who had to crawl out of the passenger door of his vehicle, passed a breathalyser test after the crash but refused a urine test.
No-one sustained any injuries in the incident which took place on Beach Road in Jupiter Island just before 14:00 local time on Friday (about 19:00 GMT).
Sheriff Budensiek told a news conference: “The DUI investigators came to the scene and Mr Woods did exemplify signs of impairment.
“They did several tests on him. He did explain the injuries and surgeries that he’s had and we did take that into account, but they did some in-depth roadside tests.
“When it was determined, he was placed under arrest and taken to the Martin County jail.
“At the Martin County jail, and even on scene, we were really not suspicious of alcohol being involved in this case and that proved to be true.
“Mr Woods did a breathalyser test with triple zeros, but when it came time for us to ask for a urinary analysis test, he refused.”
Budensiek also said Woods had been “co-operative but was trying not to incriminate himself”.
“He has a right to refuse that test,” added the sheriff. “There is a statute which he will be charged with for refusing to take that test, but we will never get definitive results as to what he was impaired on at the time of the crash.”
US president Donald Trump was asked about the crash on Friday, saying: “I feel so badly. [Woods has] got some difficulty. There was an accident. That’s all I know.
“He’s a very close friend of mine, he’s an amazing person, an amazing man.”
Sheriff Budensiek said Woods would remain in jail for eight hours then be released on bond. The charges are misdemeanours, not felonies.
The BBC has contacted the golfer’s representatives for comment.
This is not the first time Woods has been involved in a car accident – he has played a limited schedule since the serious crash in 2021 that left him with extensive injuries and fortunate to be alive.
In 2017 police officers also found him slumped at the wheel of his parked Mercedes-Benz not far from his Florida home.
A toxicology report found Woods had several legal medications in his system and marijuana’s active ingredient, and he was sentenced to a year’s probation after pleading guilty to reckless driving.
In 2009 Woods hit a fire hydrant, a tree, and several hedges in a bizarre collision outside his home.
The incident sparked accusations of extramarital affairs which led to the end of his seven-year marriage and the loss of lucrative sponsorship deals.
[BBC]
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