The event will have 18 competition events including boys’ and girls’ age category events of U-9, U-11, U-13, U-15, U-17 and U-19 along with Novices age category events of U-11, U-15 and U-19.

Defending Junior National champions Ravindu Laksiri and Mihiliya Methsarani will fight it out to retain their crowns, but will receive a tough challenge from emerging youngsters. Both Ravindu and Mihiliya are the most experienced players in the junior circuit and also excelled in the Nationals as well. Ravindu and Mihiliya retained the junior crowns for three consecutive years from 2012. Creating history in local squash scene, SLSF has made arrangements with National Rupavahini Corporation to telecast the finals and award ceremony live on December 12.

Commenting on the sponsorship, Ceylon Biscuit Ltd Group General Manager- Marketing Theja Peiris said: “We partnered squash at a time the game was not very popular. Today I am so happy to see the development and the level of the sport. As a brand Ritzbury supports many school level sports including athletics, volleyball, football, cricket, hockey and squash. We believe sports help to mould people physically and mentally both which produce a good citizen.”

Sri Lanka Squash Federation (SLSF) president Suranjith Premadasa stated that within a short period of time after he assumed duties as president, they have been able to conduct several tournaments successfully.

“We strongly believe that squash should be popularized in outstations. We hope to introduce a new age category championship for the annual fleet and will build a portable fully glass squash court with the assistance of the Sport Ministry.

“We have high hopes of hosting the 2016 South Asian Games and by that time the glass court will be ready. It will greatly help to bring the sport to outstations as we will able to move the court to wherever we need,” he further stated.

SLSF secretary LCdr. Priyadarshana Jayawardana said: “We have about 28 affiliated clubs to SLSF, mainly located in Colombo and we hope to obtain permission for school children to use squash facilities owned by the three Forces and hotels, so that people will get attracted to the sport.

“Almost all the top players will participate in this year’s Junior Nationals and the tournament will be a talent search for mainly under-13 category as we hope to identify potential players for 2024 and 2028 Olympics,” he said

Long jumper Danushka Sandaruwan and triple jumpers Vidusha Lakshani and Chamal Kumarasiri showed their excellence during the rain hit final day at Diyagama to claim the best athlete titles of their respective age groups.

University of Sri Jayewardenepura undergraduate Sandaruwan who represented Gampaha District, cleared 7.78 metres in the men’s over 20 long jump to rewrite the record books to seal the over-20 best male athlete’s award to warm up ahead of the South Asian Games trials to be worked off in three weeks time.

Asian Youth Championship Silver medalist, Chamal Kumarasiri (Gampaha District), continued his record breaking streak when he cleared 15.67 metres in the boys under-20 triple jump to set a new meet record, and sealed the boys under 20 best athlete’s award.

The women’s triple jump National record holder Vidusha Lakshani who represented Gampaha District was not at her best, but managed to win the gold medal with her jump of 12.84 metres which was more than enough for her to seal the girls under-20 best female athlete’s award.

Sprint star Chandrika Rasnayake of Kurunegala District who won triple gold medals in the 200m, 400m and was part of the 4×400 metres relay team, enjoyed her second consecutive women’s over 20 best athlete award, following her record breaking performance of 54.31 seconds in the women’s 400 metres event. All four best athletes were awarded motor cycles each.

Apart from the above mentioned two jumping records, Gampaha District men’s over 20 and under 20 4x400m relay teams set new meet records on the day (2:16.53 sec and 3:22.30 sec).

In the other event of the day, Kurunegala District athlete Nishanthi Dilhani Fernando sealed her third gold medal when she won the girls’ under-20 1500 metres final. She was the winner of under-10 women’s 400 metres and 800 metres finals too.

Kegalle District produced the fastest athlete of the meet when H.L. Minimuthu clocked 10.96 seconds to win the men’s under-20 100 metres final, while Ranmini Madushika of Gampaha District clocked 12.49 seconds to win the women’s over-20 100 metres and become the fastest woman of the three-day championship.

The event will bring together over 700 athletes in an exciting and fun-filled festival with live entertainment and activities. The beach sports festival will include a wide range of sports including – Beach Football, Beach Volleyball, Beach Waterpolo, Beach Handball, Beach Rugby and a Sea Swim.

Over 10 teams in each of the sporting disciplines will participate marking the first ever Beach Waterpolo and Handball games to be played in Sri Lanka.

Three-time Olympic champion and legendary Hungarian Water Polo player Dr. Gergely Kiss will be the Brand Ambassador for the event.

Awnee Razack the Chairman of the Organizing Committee said “we wanted to create a Beach sports festival in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is surrounded by beautiful sea and we must make use of this. We do not have teams which do well in Beach Sports or any kind of beach sports festival and we believe this will be a new beginning of a long journey”.

In announcing the sponsorship the CEO of SAGT Erwin Haaze commented: “SAGT is pleased to partner with Aqua Vida to promote Beach Games and provide a platform for the youth of the country to further develop their skills and talents.”

She won a gold medal in the kata event and a silver medal in the team event of the Milo Trophy Tournament held in Malaysia in 2012. She has achieved victories in the All-Island events. Also she has excelled in high jump and 400 metre events.

Tharushi, began her sporting career under Sanjeewa Senanayake and later she trained under Mahesh Chandrakumara.At present she is being trained by Anura Liyanage and Deshadi Cooray.

Her sister too won a gold medal in the Milo Trophy Tournament conducted in Malaysia in 2012.

She extends her gratitude to her first School Sangamitta Central College Heyiyanthuduwa, the Principal of Visakha Balika Vidyalaya and everyone who helped her to success. She is assured of bringing a gold medal to if she is given the proper training.

TJ

Reporter – Wijaya Vidanapathirana

The New Year festival (Lama Awurudu) 2015 in Embilipitiya Bodhi Raja International Preschool which afflicted with Bodhi Raja foundation was held on 27^th April. The Chairman of Bodhi Raja foundation  Venerable Dr.Omalphe Sobhitha  thero  was chieftainship in this occasion organized and instructed  by teachers and parents.  As well as the invited guests and large crowed participated to this colorful ceremony.

Photograph -Indika Hemal.

Reported by-Wijaya Vidanapathirana