32rd National Sports Festival: Kusumawathi breaks her own record

by Leslie Fernando

S. V. A. Kusumawathi representing Central Province established a new meet record in the 400 metres hurdles on the penultimate day of the 32nd National Sports Festival held at the Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday.

Kusumawathi holder of the 400 metres hurdle erased off her own time settings 1:01:82 Secs to win the gold.

In 2004 she had a time of 1:02:15 Secs. K. P. M. N. Kalupahana of Sabaragamuwa was placed second (1:02:99 Secs) and N. Geethika (WP) finished third (1:05:31 Secs).

Susanthika Jayasinghe, the gold medallist at the 10th South Asian Games continued her winning streak. Running in lane five, she started off on her usual style to win the 200 metres with comfortable ease. She won the gold 'clocking' 23:46 Secs.

Jayasinghe had no opposition at all and it was plain sailing in her pet event. Sujani Buddhika of Southern Province came in second (24:37 Secs) and R. M. C. Subashini of North Western Province took the third place (25:33 Secs).

Prasanna Amarasekera representing Uva Province had a good win in the 200 Metres (Men) returning a time of 21:64 Secs. S. Ramanayake took the second position (22:54 Secs) and H. A. I. D. Hettiarachchi of Western Province third (22:62 Secs).

Western Province was leading in the medal tally with (57) medals, 27 gold, 17 silver and 13 bronze Central Province a close second 58 medals, (21 gold, 15 silver and 22 bronze), while North Western Province in third slot with 19 medals, (4 gold, 9 silver and 6 bronze). The festival will be continued today.