Miniruwani breaks 28-year old record

By Leslie Fernando

Miniruwani Samarakoon of Gateway College proved her class breaking a 28 year long record in the 200 metres Butterfly stroke Girls under-17 on the penaltimate day of the 35th annual Sri Lanka Schools All-Island Swimming and Diving Championships conducted by Sri Lanka Schools Aquatic Sports Association held at the Sugathadasa Stadium pool yesterday. For Miniruwani it was her third record of the meet.

The meet is sponsord by Nestle - Milo.

Miniruwani swimming in lane four ‘clocked’ 2:39:33 secs to erase off the previous mark of 2:44:10 secs held by former Sri Lanka swimmer Udeshi Biyanwala of Bishops College in 1980. She also set new records in the 50m Butterfly stroke 33:32 secs and 100m Butterfly 1:12:12 secs.

The Kandy Swimmer Hansani Weerathunga of Mahamaya College accounted for the 400m free style girls u-19 record timing 5:19:02. The young swimmer from Polonnaruwa RCC was responsive for the other record in the 50 metres free style boys u-13 28.85 secs.

The holders St. Joseph’s College with 314 points were in front in the Boys Overseasfollowed by Ananda 213 point second and S. Thomas’ College 197 point third. In the Girls Mahamaya College in first position 181 Ladies College in second with 107 point and Museaus College third with 101 points on conclusion of third day program.