The two wins saw Sri Lanka move to the top of the Under 18 and Under 20 Asian rugby rankings in the elite division.

Pictures show MJM Mushtaq coach of the Sri Lanka Under 18 team and captain Naveen Heenkankanamge receiving a cheque for Rs. 1.5 million from President Maithripala Sirisena and (below) Sri Lanka Under 20 team coach Sudath Sampath and captain Kevin Dixon receiving a cheque for Rs. 1,525,000 from President Sirisena (top). WAI

The exhibition performance by Korean taekwondo participants was the main highlight at the occasion. Prersident Matripala Sirisena was the chief guest at the award ceremony.

Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara and senior officials from the Sports Ministry were also present at the prize giving

Niluka Shyamali of Kalutara District won the Women’s Elite race while Ayesha Madushani (Ratnapura) finished second. Madushani Ranasinghe (Anuradhapura) came in third. The Under-23 Men’s race saw Nidush Nirantha of Kurunegala reaching the finish line first, followed by Ashen Tharuka (Gampaha) who finished second.

His teammate Charith Fernando secured the third place. Pasindu Lakshan (Kalutara) won the Men’s Junior event while Madumali Fernando of Kurunegala won the women’s junior race.

The Masters (40-55 years) race was won by W S Jeewananda of Kalutara and G Thomas Perera won the over 55 race.

The men’s elite riders’ race was affected by rain in the last lap.

However the competitors did not give up and cycled amidst heavy rain and Naveen Ruchira sprinted ahead of the others at the last moment to become the winner.

Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara and minister Duminda Dissanayake flaged off the men’s elite race. Earlier on the same day, the Ministers participated in the “Cycling for all” event which was organized by the Cycling Federation of Sri Lanka to foster the mission of its international governing body UCI.

North Western Province Chief Minister Peshala Jayaratne, Minister for Rural Development P. Harrison, North Western Province Sports also joined the ride which was worked off on a 14.67 km long circuit.

EVENT RESULTS:

Men’s Elite:

1: Naveen Ruchira (Gampaha)

2:Jeewan Jayasinghe

(Gampaha)

3: B Wajira Pushpakumara (Anuradhapura)

Under 23 Men

1: Nidush Nirantha (Kurunegala) 2.09.50

2: Ashen Tharuka (Gampaha) 2.09.50

3: Charith Fernando (Gampaha) 2.09.50

Elite women

1: Niluka Shyamali (Kaluthara) 57.19.8

2: Ayesha Madushani (Rathnapura ) 57.19.8

3: H A D I Madushani Ranasnghe (Anuradhapura ) 57.19.8

Men’s Junior

1: Pasindu Lakshan (Kalutara) 1.06.50

2: Awishka Madosa (Kalutara) 1.06.50

3: Prabash Madhusanka (Gampaha) 1.06.50

Women’s Junior

1: Madumali Fernando (Kurunegala ) 37.47.0

2: W Sandunika Chandramali (Anuradhapura) 37.48.4

3: Udeshini Niranjana Kumarasinghe (Anuradhapura) 37.48.9

Master’s event ( 40-55 )

1: W S Jeewananda (Kalutara)

2: L A D Shelton (Kalutara)

3: M R Sarath Amarasinghe (Anuradhapura)

Masters’ event ( over 55 )

1: G Thomas Perera (Gampaha)

2: N C Kulathunge (Anuradhapura)

3: W Siwadasa (Kalutara)

The main purpose of this meeting was to review the progress made in the revision of the sports legislation in Sri Lanka and to reach mutual understanding to ensure the legislation is compatible with the basic principles and rules that govern the Olympic Movement.

All parties agreed to fully respect and comply with the principles and rules of the Olympic Charter and the statutes of the International Federations.

It was also agreed that the revision process for the sports legislation will be completed by the end of this year.