Roshan, Rumeshika most outstanding..

Two of the most promising young athletes in the local arena, rural athletes Roshan Dammika Ranathunga and Rumeshika Kumari Ratnayake stole the limelight when they were adjudged best male and female athletes respectively at the All Island School Games which concluded at Diyagama yesterday.

High jumper Ranatunga from Godakawela Maha Vidyalaya cleared 2.13metres to win the gold medal, but was unfortunately failed to surpass the record which is owned by Milan Dissanayake. However Ranatunga’s jump also earned him the best jumper award.
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President Maithripala Sirisena handing over the best Male Athlete’s Award to Roshan Dhammika of Kularatne Central College, Godakawela.
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Young sprint queen of the meet, Rumeshika Ratnayake of St. Joseph’s Balika MV, Kegalle, receiving the best female athlete’s award from President Maithripala Sirisena. Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam looks on.

The champion high jumper enjoyed two silver medals at the recently concluded Asian Youth Championship and Commonwealth Youth Games, and represented the country at the the IAAF World Youth Championship this year and was the hot favourite to win the crown at this year’s All Island School Games

Meanwhile the young sprint sensation Rumeshika Kumari Ratnayake of St. Joseph’s Balika MV, Kegalle, clocked 11.95 seconds and 24.09 seconds in the 100 metre dash and 200 metres events, continuing to erase records.

In the girls Under-21 200metres, she erased the record set by Damayanthi Dharsha to prove her class, making her the top nominee for the best female athlete’s title. Rumeshika who secured the sixth place at the Asian Athletics Championship held earlier this year, has a 11.56 second-100 metre dash in her profile and is just behind Sri Lanka’s legendary Susanthika Jayasinghe and Damayanthi Dharsha in the lest of country’s all time fastest women.

Unfortunately lack of competition during the two finals prevented her from making her best effort but she also sealed the best sprinter of the championship title as she collected 1027 IAAF points for her performance in the 200m.

Pasindu Bhawantha of Weera Keppetipola Central College Akuramboda was adjudged the best thrower for his record breaking effort of 57.77m in the boys Under-17 Discus Throw. Incidentally his twin brother Aruna Darshana also set two records in the 400m and 400m hurdles events.

Maris Stella College Negombo sealed the boys overall championship with 163 points, while A. Rathanayake Central College Walala (96) and St. Benedict’s College Kotahena (72) finished second and third respectvely. A Rathnayake Central College Walala sealed the girls’ overall championship with194 points in their possession while Sumana Balika Vidyalaya Rathnapura were the runner up with 147 points. St. Joseph’s BV Kegalle finished third with 141 points.

The record setters in the final day included S. Dilakshan of People’s College Jaffna who set a new meet record in the boys under-19 Pole Vault as he bettered the current national record holder Ishara Sandaruwan’s record of 4.31metres. St Benedict’s College’s Sahan Rajapaksa beat Gateway’s Asiri Wijesekara in the much awaited boys Under-17 100 metres final. In the relay events, Royal College under-15 4x400m team established a new record, clocking 3 minutes 35.37 seconds. St. Benedict’s College Kotahena were the proud owners of the other relay record of the day when they clocked 3 minutes 21.35 seconds in the boys Under-17 4x400m relay.

Chief Guest President Maithripala Sirisena, Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam were among the dignitaries who gave away the trophies and awards at the conclusion of the meet.