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Shanika breaks lockdown shackles to erase 35 year old athletics record

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98th National Athletics Championship

by Reemus Fernando

Emerging school athlete Shanika Lakshani competing alongside seniors shattered one of the oldest athletics records when she clocked 4:33.40 seconds to finish the women’s 1500 metres at the 98th National Athletics Championship concluded at the Sugathadasa Stadium on Tuesday.

The Holy Cross College, Gampaha athlete was one of the school athletes taking part in the Nationals in a bid to achieve entry standards for the postponed World Under-20 Championships in Nairobi. The athlete trained by Madura Perera came almost close to achieving entry standards in both 800 metres and 1500 metres.

Though she narrowly missed the entry mark, she could improve, by nearly two seconds, the Sri Lanka Junior Record for women’s 1500 metres, which had remained untouched for 35 years.

“She has not taken part in many 1,500 metres. She was a bit too fast in the first and the second laps. Otherwise she could have accomplished the target (earning entry standards). Looking back at the circumstances under which she had to train, this is a huge accomplishment,” said Madura Perera the coach of Lakshani in an interview with The Island.

The area she lives had been under lockdown due to the outbreak of the Covid 19 pandemic. But Madura and his team had received the support of the Gampaha District Additional Secretary to conduct a residential camp after initial training had been hampered due to the pandemic.

The more than three decades old record was held by former National Champion Dammika Menike who created the mark (4:35.70 seconds) at the Asian Intercity Junior meet in Singapore in 1985.

Lakshani also did well in the 800metres finishing in a time of 2:08.90 seconds.

Lakshani who represented Sri Lanka at the Asian Youth Athletics Championship in 2019 was among several school athletes who tried their best at the National Championship which was the only national level athletics event held this year.

Meanwhile, on day two of the event, Dharmapala College, Pannipitiya hurdler Senuri Anuththara who was another World Under-20 Championship aspirant, clocked 14.60 seconds in the 100 metres hurdles to shatter the junior record held by Harshani Wijesinghe (2009).



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Akesha, Dinara guide Sri Lanka to Billie Jean King Cup Asia Oceania Group III victory

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Sri Lanka won the Billie Jean King Cup Asia Oceania Group III tennis tournament as the hosts beat Turkmenistan 2-0 in the final at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association clay courts.
Sri Lanka secured a Group II spot by vertue of their victory in the Group III final.
Akeesha Silva and Dinara de Silva won their singles matches against their Turkmenistan counterparts to avoid a doubles match.
Akeesha beat Aynur Movlyamova 6-0, 6-2 in the first singles match while Dinara completed the victory with a 6-2, 6-0 win over Ilima Guseynova. (RF)
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Nissanka’s masterclass powers Sri Lanka fightback in Galle Test

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Pathum Nissanka posted a career best 187 and his first century at home as Sri Lanka came up with a strong reply on day three of the first Test against Bangladesh in Galle yesterday

Pathum Nissanka produced a career-best 187 to anchor Sri Lanka’s spirited reply on day three of the first Test against Bangladesh in Galle on Thursday, guiding the hosts to a commanding 368 for four at stumps.

Sri Lanka still trail by 127 runs, but with wickets in hand and a placid pitch beneath their feet, the momentum appears to be tilting in the hosts’ favour.

On a surface that has offered little to the bowlers, Nissanka made hay while the sun shone, unleashing an array of strokes that left the Bangladesh attack chasing leather. The right-hander peppered the off-side with exquisite drives and was equally adept square of the wicket, cutting and pulling with authority to force the field back.

The 27-year-old had been under the pump coming into the match, having managed just one half-century in nine innings since his heroic ton at The Oval last year against England. But there was no stopping him this time, as he cashed in on a batter-friendly deck to silence critics and steady Sri Lanka’s ship.

Having first made waves with a century on debut in the Caribbean four years ago, Nissanka’s red-ball career has been sporadic, punctuated by injuries. But since August last year, he has carved out a regular spot in the Test side, though recurring back niggles have occasionally sidelined him.

Nissanka was cruising towards a maiden double hundred when he was castled by Hasan Mahmud with the second new ball — bowled through the gate in classic fashion. His knock, laced with 23 fours and a six, was a timely reminder of his pedigree and poise at the crease.

He put on 47 for the opening wicket with debutant Lahiru Udara, before adding a crucial 157 runs with Dinesh Chandimal for the second wicket. Chandimal, who looked set for a big score, fell against the run of play, flicking one to leg slip to give Bangladesh a much-needed breakthrough.

Angelo Mathews, walking out to bat in his farewell Test amidst a guard of honour from the opposition, joined Nissanka in a stand worth 89. The veteran looked composed until he feathered a catch behind off part-time spinner Mominul Haque for 39.

Though Nissanka stole the limelight, the most assured batter at the crease by day’s end was Kamindu Mendis. The left-hander was a picture of composure, using his feet to good effect against the spinners and rotating strike with ease. He remained unbeaten on 37, with skipper Dhananjaya de Silva on 17, as Sri Lanka ended the day with plenty still in the tank.

Earlier in the morning, Bangladesh added just nine runs to their overnight total before being dismissed for 495. Asitha Fernando mopped up the tail, finishing with four wickets as the tourists lost their last six wickets for just 37 runs — a collapse that handed Sri Lanka the opening to claw back into the contest.

Rex Clementine ✍️
in Galle

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Seven cueists to compete for Sri Lanka at Asian 6 Red & Team Snooker Championship

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Sri Lanka will field seven cueists including champions Irshath Thaha and Susantha Boteju when the country hosts the Asian 6 Red and Team Snooker Championship 2025 at the Moors Sports Club billiards table in Colombo from June 22.

The seven-day championship is hosted by Billiard and Snooker Association of Sri Lanka (BSASL) under the auspices of the Asian Confederations of Billiard Sports (ACBS).

Irshath Thaha and Susantha Boteju are joined by Mohamed Rikaz, Dhanushka Puwakgolla, Mohamed Musharaff, Mohamed Mubeen, and Thiyagarajah Thanji to vie for honours

The seven day championship due to end on June 28 will see the participation of 17 countries namely Kuwait, Hong Kong China, China, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Oman, UAE, Bahrain, Jordan, Cambodia, Macau, Qatar, Singapore, Iraq and host Sri Lanka.

The regional event will see the participation of over 50 cueists and will showcase the action of past and present world champions giving the snooker fans a rare opportunity to witness the top notch players in action. The championship will be played over six tables and action will begin for the day from 10.00 a.m. each day with five sessions planned to be conducted.

The players will clash for two titles the Asian 6 Red which is an individual event and the Team championship that will be contested between two players from each country.

At the last edition of the tournament which was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia last year, Awais Muneer of Pakistan clinched the men’s singles 6 Red event and Team Thailand emerged the team champions. They will be looking to retain the titles.

The tournament will give the emerging and established players the much needed exposure and gain valuable international experience and an opportunity to showcase their talent.

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