Tharushi Karunaratne of Walla A Ratnayake MV and Nadun Bandara of Royal College Colombo were adjudged the girls’ and boys’ Best Athletes at the All Island School Games concluded at Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo yesterday.
Royalist Nadun Bandara who set up a new 110m hurdle record with 13.64 seconds also won the Best Hurdler award and Best Track Athlete award for his achievement.
The junior National athlete Tharushi Karunaratne who set up new meet records in 400m and 800m won the Best Athlete award for girls.
Panadura Royal College athlete Jayawi Rathhida was adjudged the Best Thrower for his putt shot throw of 16.94m. The Best Jumper award was won by Yosheeda International Sapugaskanda athlete A.K Koorale with his triple jump performance of 16.94m.
Lyceum International Wattala with 81 points won the boys’ Overall Championship while Rahula College Matara (73 points) and Sir John Kotalawala Kurunegala (61 points) were placed second and third in the boys’ section. Meanwhile, Walala A. Ratnayake MV emerged as girls’ Overall Champions with 122 points while Wattala Lyceum International (69) and Holy Cross Gampaha (64) won second and third places respectively. Western Province came first with 1096.5 points while Central (454.5) and Southern (375) Provinces ended second and third.
Meanwhile after the fifth and final day yesterday, 24 new meet records (14 Boys records and 10 girls records) were established at this meet conducted by the Sri Lanka Schools Athletes Association and the Education Ministry.
Education Minister Susil Premajayantha was the chief guest. There were a lot of athletes from rural schools who came up with good performances which is a good omen for Lankan athletics.
