Central Province became runner-up with 47gold, 33silver and 57 bronze medals while the North Western Province secured third place winning 26 gold, 27 silver and 34 bronze medals.

Two Sri Lanka records and 12 new meet records were established during the three-day meet. High jumper Manjula Kumara from Southern Province who leaped to 2.19m was adjudged the Best Male Athlete. Manjula retained the title for the second consecutive year as he was awarded the Best Athlete award at the 40th NSF in Anuradhapura last year.

Western Province’s N.C.D. Priyadarshani who set up a new Sri Lanka record in women’s long jump with a distance of 6.43m was awarded the Best Female Athlete award. Priyadarshani erased the previous SL record created by N.K. Chandrasena in 2002 (6.40m).
The Best Athlete (female) N.C.D. Priyadarshani (WP) and Best Athlete (male) Manjula Kumara of Southern Province with their awards.

The first SL record of this year’s meet was established by P. K. A. A. Madhuwanthi of Uva Province in the hammer throw event (43.18m). She erased her own previous record of 42.74m.

M. V. Suranjaya of Southern Province set up two new Meet Records in 100m and 200m events. He became the fastest man by finishing 100m in 10.45 secs and broke the 17-year previous record (10.47 secs) set up by Chinthaka de Soysa. He created his second meet record by erasing Shehan Ambepitiya’a previous 200m record (21.28secs) with a timing of 21.02 secs.

The Sri Lanka record holder for women’s Javelin throw, Southern Province’s Nadeeka Lakmali set up a new Meet Record of 58.52m, erasing her previous record (57.89m). Nadeeka’s National record is 60.64m.

The 42nd National Sports Festival will be held in Northern Province next year.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe was also present at the meet, but left before the award ceremony.

New records of the meet –

Men’s

Javelin throw – R. M. S. J. Ranasinghe (Sabaragamuwa) 75.91m

Pole-vault – M. H. I. Sandaruwan (WP) 4.83m

200m – M.V. Suranjaya (SP) 21.02secs

100m – M.V. Suranjaya (SP) 10.45secs

Women’s

Hammer throw – P. K. A. A. Madhuwanti (Uva) 43.18m (NSLR)

Long jump – N. C. D. Priyadarshni (WP) 6.43m (NSLR)

5000m – Nilani Ratnayaka (Sabaragamuwa) 16.50:67 Minutes

Triple jump – Vidusha Lakshani (WP) 12.98m

800m – W. K. L. A. Nimali (SP) 2.05:32 Minutes

400m Hurdles – W. P. E. R. Dulakshi (SP) 59.51secs

Javelin throw – Nadeeka Lakmali (SP) 58.52m

400mx4 – Southern Province 3.43:98 Minutes

The Central Province started the game on a winning note when veteran centre forward and former National Captain Dhammika Abeyratne slammed two goals in quick succession to boost the morale of the team. A penalty corner midway saw Tilina Perera made good use of it to score, which reduced the lead to 1-2

But many attempts to score by Western Province was thwarted by central Province goal keeper I. E. K. R. Willawarachchi who brought of many saves to bag the Best Player award. The Best Players award in the ladies tournament went to Madura Dharmaratne of Central Province.

North Western Province won the consolation championship beating Uva Province 3-1 after leading 2/1 at half time. K. K. U. D. Fernando (1), W. V. D. Fernando (1), and B. A. D. R. S. Nimanka (1), scored for North Western Province. E. G. P. S. Premaratne scored for Uva Province.

CP bag women’s title

Central Province ladies hockey team trounce Western Province team by 7 goals to nil to clinch the women hockey title for the 25 time at the 41 National Sports Festival. At lemon Central Province ladies led 3-nil. Central Province scored 31 goals in 3 matches averaging over 10 goals per match.

They did not concede a single goal as their custodian Jeewanthika Keerthi also was outstanding not allowing anything get past.

The central Province team beat Eastern Province 14-0 in the opener and followed up with a 10-0 win over Northern Province in the semi finals.

Central Province skipper Pradeeepa Nilmini Nadasena led her side from the front using her forwards to break the opponents’ defence with centre forwards Yamuna Wijesuriya and Chathurika Wijesuriya doing the spade work. Right back Geethani Abeyratne too displayed her class by spoiling the moves of their opponents.

Left extreme Thusanthika Themiyadasa kept the score board moving when a push by Pradeepa Nilmini was well collected by her to sound the boards. Another back to boack goal by Thusanthika helped to increase the lead to 2-0.

Centre half Madura Dharmaratne scored the third goal for Central Province to lead 3-0 at the breather.

Soon after resumption the Central Province team with the inclusion of back Geethani was rabbing salt into the wounds of their opponents. They scored twice through some brilliant stick work by National skipper and centre forward Madhushani Jayanthi to increase the lead to 5-0.

During the dying stages of the game centre forward Chathurika Premasiri put the icing on the cake scoring two more goals to assure their victory. Earlier in the semi finals central Province Thrashed Northern Province by 10 goals to nil.

Two cousins playing as centre forward Chathurika Wijesuriay and Yamuna Wijesuriya struck a brilliant note to score three goals each. The others to sound the boards were Madura Dharamartne (1), Anandi Rajapakse (1), and Madhushani Jayanethi (2) who is also the highest scorer of goals in the tournament and celebrated her engagement with this achievement.

Western Province swimmers grabbed 19 gold medals golds, 18 silver and ten bronze medals. Central Province swimmers were also impressive in the pool and collected 14 gold medals, nine silvers and 12 bronze medals to emerge runner up. Southern Province secured the third place with eight points, followed by North Western Province and Sabaragamuwa Province who were placed fourth and fifth respectively. Ten new meet records were set up on the final day.

New meet records

Women 800 LC Meter Freestyle

Western Province

I E Senanayake (10:10.56)

Men’s 50 LC Meter Breaststroke

Kanitha Munasinghe (31.18)

Men’s 200 LC Meter Freestyle

Western Province

Gavin Karunanayake (2:11.53)

Men’s 50 LC Meter Backstroke

Western Province

K Imesh Chathuranga (28.21)

Men’s 200 LC Meter Medley Relay

Western Province

1:55.96

(K Imesh Chathuranga, Kanitha Munasinghe, Dimuth A Peiris, Kaushal Manawadu)

Men’s 1500 LC Meter Freestyle

Central Province

I M Abeyrathna (18:13.64)

Women’s 400 LC Meter Freestyle

Central Province

J U I Silva (4:59.84)

Men 200 LC Meter Butterfly

Central Province

K P S B De Silva (2:12.11)

Men 200 LC Meter Freestyle Relay

Western Province (1:43.00)

(Ranindu Jayathilaka, Yahiya Jaffer, Rahul Samarakoon, B Dilanka Shehan)