Four new records at Lanka Lions meet

by Leslie Fernando

Sajith Nadeeshan of Gampaha District, Miyara Algama, Gayani Kawshalya Wijesekera of Colombo District and A. D. K. Ishali Chandrasekera of Ratnapura District established new meet records on the opening day of the Lanka Lions sports Club 8th Senior and 7th Junior athletic championships held at the Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday.

Nadeeshan accounted for the first record in the boys under-18 long jump event with a good leap of 6.88 metres to erase off the previous mark of Maduka Dilan of Gampaha District 6.93 metres of 2005.

Algama was responsible for the second record in the girls under-16 javelin throw with distance of 32.51 metres. Earlier mark was held by D. M. A. Priyadarshani of Matale district with a throw of 29.46 metres in 2000. Wijesekera also bettered the existing record in the same event with a distance of 30.14 metres.

Ishali Chandrasekera set the fourth record in the girls under-20 long jump. She had a fine jump of 5.81 metres to erase off her own record of 5.64 metres in 2005.

Sujith Kumara of Kandy District proved to be a good long distance runner winning the mens 10,000 metres returning a time of 32:11,8 secs, while Pradeep Thilakaratne of Ratnapura District timed 35:34:8 secs to win the boys under-20 - 10,000 metres.

Harshamali Gunarathne of Polonnaruwa District return a batter timing to win the girls under-20 5000 metres - 19:26:3 secs. Siromi Premarathne of Kegalle District took 19:39:8 secs to take the womens 5000 metres title.

The meet will be continued today commencing at 8.00 am.