In the boys under 17 javelin throw event Lasith recorded 66.96 metres while Poornima Jayamali leaped 1.74 metres in the under 19 girls high jump event. The previous record (65.51 metres) of I.A. Paranagama of Nalanda College, Colombo in 2002 was erased by Lasith on the second day of the meet.

The earlier record of 1.70 metres in the girls high jump was held jointly by Tharanga Vinodani of Vijitha Central College, Dickwella (2002), R.A.K. Priyangika Maduwanthi of Maliyadeva Balika, Kurunegala (2008) and Nimeshika Madushani Siriwardana of Galenbindunuwewa Central College (2011).

“I have been suffering from diabetes from grade eight. I took to sport to reduce my diabetic level. Now my sugar level is normal,” said 16-year-old Lasith who will sit for the GCE O/L exam in December.

Lalith’s father is the principal of Heenkenda Maha Vidyalaya, Kelaniya while his mother is deputy principal of Henegama Central College.

Lasith earlier participated in the shot putt event but his coach Susantha Kularatne asked him to concentrate on the javelin throw. Lasith competed with older players and became third place at Sir John Tarbet Athletic Meet last year. He was also crowned champion at the Western Province Athletic Meet held in July. “My dream is to qualify for the Asian Junior Athletic Championship in 2018,” he said.

Maris Stella College’s High Jumper Ushan Thiwanka became the Best Boy’s Athlete and Dharmasoka College’s Triple Jump champion Ridma Nishadi won the Best Girl’s Athlete Award.

One Sri Lanka record and three new meet records were established on the final day.

The three-day meet saw 11 new meet records including the Sri Lanka record being broken.

The Sri Lanka record was set up in the Girls Under-20 Pole Vault final. J Anitha of Mahajana College, Thelippalai leaped 3.35 metres to win the gold medal.

The final day’s first meet record was set up by Prasadi Lakshani of Holy Cross College, Gampaha in the Girls Under-16 Triple Jump final with a record distance of 11.53 metres to win the gold medal.

Adeesha Anjana of Lumbini College, Colombo established a new meet record in the Boys Under-16 400m final winning the gold medal. Anjana clocked 50.0 secs erasing the previous record 50.65 secs set by KP Niku of Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala in 2014.

The third meet record was established by Ridma Nishadi of Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda in the Girls Under-18 Long Jump final. Nishadi’s record distance was 6.02 metres, which erased the previous record of 5.67 metres set by Sarangi Silva of Sumangala Balika Vidyalaya, Panadura.

Bolt, who just days earlier had become the first man in history to win three 100m titles in a row, surged to victory in the 200m in 19.78sec at the Olympic Stadium.

Canada’s Andre De Grasse took silver in 20.02sec, just ahead of France’s Christophe Lemaitre, who nicked bronze in 20.12.

Bolt’s triumph was greeted with rapturous applause by Brazilian fans who roared their appreciation as the sprint superstar set off on a lap of honour, with Bob Marley booming from stadium speakers.

The win left the 29-year-old Bolt just one win away from his targeted “triple triple” — a repeat of his sweep of 100m, 200m and 4x100m golds at the 2008 and 2012 Games.

“No, I can’t grasp what I’ve achieved, definitely not,” said Bolt. “You work so hard for years and then you just hope it pays off. It is a brilliant feeling.

“I’m getting older and my body is ageing. Personally I think this is my last 200 but my coach may beg to differ.”

Bolt will attempt to put the seal on what he says is his final Olympics in Friday’s 4×100 relay.
US gold rush

Bolt’s win came on a day when US athletes snapped up four more golds with wins in decathlon, men’s and women’s 400m hurdles and shot put.

Eaton, the defending decathlon champion and world record holder, overcame a fierce challenge from France’s Kevin Mayer to win the punishing 10-event discipline with a total of 8,893 points.

Mayer won silver with a total of 8,834pts, with Canada’s Damian Warner taking bronze.

Eaton’s back-to-back titles matched Britain’s Daley Thompson, who won gold in the event in the 1980 and 1984 Olympics.

“To win two Olympic golds in a row like Daley Thompson is very special,” Eaton said.

“One day, I’m going to have to meet Daley, shake his hand and thank him for giving me something to chase after.”

Arguably the performance of the day by a US athlete came in the women’s 400m hurdles, where Dalilah Muhammad became the first American to win the event since it was introduced at the 1984 Olympics.

“The reality of winning is even better than the dream; Olympic champion, in front of my name,” Muhammad said.

“Being the first American to win this title adds a bit of extra sparkle,” added Muhammad, who finished in 53.13sec.

Sara Slott Petersen of Denmark took silver in 53.55sec while Muhammad’s team-mate Ashley Spencer claimed bronze in 53.72.
Solo relay replay

Kerron Clement had earlier launched the US gold blitz in the men’s 400m hurdles, coming home in 47.73 to claim gold from Kenya’s Boniface Tumuti.

Clement, who won silver in the event in the 2008 Olympics, said he had been determined to win gold this year after injuries derailed his 2012 Games.

“I had one goal in mind and my mindset was to come here and get a medal,” Clement said.

“In 2008 I fell short and got a silver. In 2012 I was battling injuries and surgeries. I was just happy to make the finals in 2012,” he added.

The other American gold came in the shot put, where Ryan Crouser won with a best of 22.52 metres, a new Olympic record.

Crouser’s teammate and reigning world champion Joe Kovacs claimed silver with 21.78m. New Zealand’s Tomas Walsh took bronze (21.36).

Elsewhere Friday, the USA’s 4x100m women’s relay team survived a potentially costly dropped baton blunder in their heat that left them facing disqualification.

The Americans however were granted a reprieve when race officials found that runner Allyson Felix had been barged by a Brazilian rival.

The US quartet were then ordered to return to the track to run a solo time trial in order to qualify for Friday’s final, which they duly did with a fastest time of 41.77sec.

“It was different, it was really weird,” Felix said after the unprecedented solo race.

The Champion Mahamaya Girls College Athletic team with Principal Indra Withanachchi (seated in the middle) Dilani Wijesekera (teacher-in-charge) and Athletic Captain Pavani Costa with the trophies they won.

National 400m champion, Chandrika Rasnayake renewed her own record with a time of 54.31 seconds to win her second Gold medal of the meet in the women’s over 20 400m. She was given stiff competition by Upamali Rathnakumari who finished second in 54.86seconds.

National javelin throw champion Sumedha Ranasinghe threw 75.84m in the men’s over 20 javelin throw to set a new meet record, where he erased the record set by D.S. Ranasinghe of 72.42m in 2013 at Polonnaruwa.

In the under 20 boys 10000m the top three finishers clocked better timing than the previous record. The event was won by K.L. Pamode with a time of 32 minutes 53.93 seconds which erased the meet record set by him in the last edition of the festival.
In other events of the day A.P. Jayawardene (Discus throw – 47.85m) and K.L. Samarasinghe (400m – 48.67) set new meet records in the under 20 boys category.
Shanika Dulakshi clocked 15.50 seconds to set a new meet record in the under 20 girls 100m hurdles.

Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko told R-Sport news agency hours before the IAAF meeting that Moscow was ready to reform or “create a new anti-doping organisation” if the IAAF or the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) demanded it.

A simple majority is all that will be needed to confirm a suspension for Russia who were accused of widespread doping by an independent commission set up by WADA in a report which has shaken track and field, one of the Olympic Games’ flagship attractions.

The 335-page report also blasted Russian officials for blackmailing athletes to cover up positive tests as well as destroying test samples. – AFP

He was felicitated by his school for bringing honour to his alma-mater

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.

Fifteen years ago we celebrated her victory of winning an Olympic medal for Sri Lanka and today I decided to attend this event as a tribute paid by the Head of State after 15 years and we share the same feeling of victory he said. President Sirisena also said that not only Susanthika, but anyone who achieves targets faces many obstacles, so what is important is to face them with courage like Susanthika herself did. When I was the Health Minister I could not work independently and if I could, I would have settled most of the problems in the health sector.

I know the field of sports was worse so I do not blame the former sports ministers for the set back we had in the field of sports during the recent past, President Sirisena said. As the government we have had many discussions on how to improve the standards of sports in our country and I’m sure there is a necessity of a broader plan and effective strategies to develop sports in the island he said. The ceremony was held to launch Susanthika Jayasinghe Athletic Academy, Susanthika Jayasinghe Sports Fund and to launch ‘ My Story’ Susanthika’s autobiography. Susanthika’s then coach and manager Tony Campbell who flew all the way from America to attend the 15th year celebration said it was really tough to work with Susanthika at the beginning. When I first met her in 1998 I did not know where Sri Lanka is , but after two years when she won the Olympic medal in Sydney the whole world could witness Sri Lankan flag being waved he said. It has been 15 years since Susanthika won an Olympic medal but through all those years Sri Lanka has not produced another Olympic prospect to follow Susanthika. I request the President, the sports minister and other authorities to start today itself and make a plan and put that plan into practice to find another few athletes to repeat what Susanthika did. Susanthika Jayasinghe speaking on the occasion thanked everyone who have helped her and wished the same for the proposed athletic academy.

President’s Counsel Kalinga Indathissa also recalled how Susanthika had to face many obstacles and finally how she managed to overcome them to win an Olympic medal. Roshan Dammika Ranathunge of Kularatne MMV who was adjudged the best male school athlete and his coach Tiran Gamage and best female school athlete Yamani Dulanjali of Ambagamuwa MMV and her coach Anura Bandara were also felicitated on the occasion. Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara, Ports and Shipping Minister Arjuna Ranatunga, former Sports Ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Gamini Lokuge, Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thero, foreign diplomats, sports officials, celebrities and many distinguished guests were also present.

He further asked the Athletics Association to pick a super pool, the cream of top notch athletes in the country, to send them abroad to a country like Thailand for training as a short term solution for track issues. This was decided due to the lack of quality tracks in Sri Lanka as Sugathadasa Stadium is too dangerous, while Diyagama too isn’t in good condition.
Also, the minister added, he would take necessary steps to take over the Race Course ground which is under the control of Urban Development Authority now, to further modify it by adding a synthetic track as planned earlier.
“I have asked representatives from the foreign company which is responsible for laying of the Sugathadasa track to come and meet me, and after that I will try to give a solution to the Sugathadasa Stadium. We have signed an agreement as per their law when building this, which is ridiculous.”

Sri Lankan athletics is in a crucial stage. They are to tour India for the South Asian Games next year, which is scheduled to start on 10 January in Guwahati and Shillong in the Assam Province. Sri Lanka hopes to send a strong contingent of about 350 to the neighbouring country. The minister has also put forward a special Cabinet Paper asking to increase the present budget to Rs 250 Million or so to meet the expenses of South Asian Games.
Athletics has been the sport which has won the country’s only two Olympic medals and all Gold medals in the history of Asian Games, which is 10, even though all other sports gets a chance to participate in these Games. At the SAG, athletics had produced 52% of the Gold medals.

As the minister described, it will be vital for the athletes to win medals and show their class in order to work towards a long term plan within the country, where the minister said he would support the AASL to establish three pools – senior, junior and youth – and maintain those pools with long term goals. Also, the minister promised a special payment for coaches during these three months ahead of the SAG, and will introduce a long term plan to sort out problems regarding their financial situation.
“It is important to have a good link between school coaches and National coaches, and a systematic evaluation of athletes who will be identified and trained by school coaches and then handed over to National coaches for further training. We should establish these understandings in order to move forward” said the Minister, who also said he would try to bring back retired javelin thrower Sachith Maduranga to the field, who is just 25-years old and still could do a lot for the country.

Coaches who were present at the occasion presented numerous pressing matters to the minister. They pointed out the lack of equipment at training venues and officers to maintain and control the issue of equipment. Also, it was pointed out the lack of knowledge among coaches and non-availability of literature for them to learn, and coaches pointed out even though senior coaches of Sri Lanka produced Olympic winners like Susanthika Jayasinghe, the new age coaches find it hard to learn those methods and techniques to coach such athletes due to lack of a knowledge base and labs. Also they pointed out the lack of using technical equipment for training and testing athletes in the country. The minister promised to get the required technical equipment as soon as possible.

The Sports Medical Unit was criticized during the occasion. Senior coaches pointed out athletes do not have confidence in the Sports Medical Unit which lacks talented doctors who could treat athletes well, while they also pointed out lack of physiotherapists. Lack of support from the ground staff at Sugathadasa Stadium was criticized and the minister said this has happened due to political appointments and he will personally inform them to perform the duties expected of them.
Today Sri Lanka Athletics is in a deep hole with lack of international medal winners. The country’s ability to secure just one Silver medal during the last Asian Championship confirms the country’s failure on the international stage.

Nevertheless, the five year delay of the South Asian Games was one reason behind that failure, as athletes did not have centre stage to excel and earn recognition. New Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara proved he is trying to create a difference to athletics during his meeting with a number of the country’s top coaches. He also visited the athlete’s hostel, and said he is going to ask for a further budget to start payments to the pooled athletes throughout the year as it used to be earlier. But he said performance at the SAG would be crucial to do all that, and failure here will make it hard for him to allocate bigger funds for projects to athletics.