Nadeeka sets up a new record

By Bernard Perera in Beliatta

SPORTS FESTIVAL: B.L. Nadeeka Lakmalee from Southern Province set the third record for the day when she threw the Javelin to a distance of 53.34 m here at the D.A. Rajapaksa Stadium, in Beliatta. Lakmalee who has already qualified to represent the country at the forthcoming Beijing Olympics 2008 was the star on Friday.

Lakmalee erased the record 51.97m set by Anne Maheshi Silva in the year 2007. Yesterday’s throw by Lakmalee has improved by nearly 2 meters. Tthe ground conditions underfoot was not that suitable for athletes.

This was due to the heavy downpour that came down during midday. The rains continued for almost one hour but the programme was delayed as there were no events during that time period.

The long jump event for men too was conducted under soggy conditions. This really put pressure on the athletes for their jumps. In fact if the conditions were in perfect condition there could have been a another record for the day. Under these trying conditions to the athletes preformed so well that three of the jumpers went past the 17m mark here.

In the 4x100m relay both men and women from Western Province grabbed the golds proving that they are the best for relays upto date. N.C.D. Priyadhardhani of Western Province became the first record breaker at the 34th National Sports Festival yesterday at D. A. Rajapaksa Stadium.

She cleared a distance of 6.30m in the Long-Jump event for women to erase the excisting meet record of 6.12 held by Anusha Eknaligoda which was established in 2000.

The second meet record came under the belt of B.L.P. Nandani Wijesundara of Sabaragamuwa in the discus throw. She sent the discus to a distance of 44.17m to take the honours for the event. The previous best was also done by her in the year 1997 with a distance of 43.34m.

In the final of 10,000 meters which was held last morning K. G. R. Saman Kumara who represented Uva Province finished first clocking 32:02.7 secs, while R. M. Indika Ajith (NWP) and P. G. Sujith Kumara (CP) ended the race behind the winner to take silver and bronze medals.

The women’s 5000m was won by Southern Province’s W. K. L. A. Nimali. Her time for the event was 17:57.03 secs. She was followed by D. A. S. Samanmali (NWP) and D. A. Inoka (CP) for the runners-up positions.

W. P. C. G. Pathirana representing NCP was the winner in the High Jump when he went over the bar at 2.07m. The silver and bronze medals were won by Amith Kumara (NCP) and M. N. Silva (NWP). W. A. Thushara Sampath of Southern Province won the gold medal for the shot putt, but was far behind the existing record as he cleared only 13.99 m. The record for the event stands at 16.53m under the name of T. F. Alailima.

Southern Province defeated Wayamba 41-40 points to book their place in today’s final. This game was keenly contested. It was a dong ding battle unto the final whistle.

The second semi-final saw the defending champions Western Province come out as winners also in a thrilling game.

This too was played equally well by both teams and the game had to be extended for extra time, as the scores were level at 49 points each at the scheduled time. After extra time the winners had 64 points while the losers could manage only 62. Today Western Province will take on Southern Province of 9.00 am at Mahinda Rajapaksa stadium Tangalle.

Javelin throw women: 1. B.L. Nadeaka Lakmalee (SP) 53.34m (NMR), 2. H.L.N. Dilhani Lekamage (SGP) 44.47m, 3. E.P. Nilmini (SP) 40.34m.

Long Jump Men: 1. Nayana Prasad Dharmaratne (WP) 7.46m, 2. Chathuranga Ranthatiya (SP) 7.13m, 3. M.G.A. Sandaruwan (NCP) 7.13m.

400m hurdles (Men): 1. N.Y.P. Ajith (NWP) 53.5secs, 2. Lal Samarasinghe (CP) 54.1secs, 3. H.S. Priyadharshani Silva (WP) 54.5.

Women: 1 P.M.S. de Soysa (CP) 1:03.2, 2. L.D. Nayomika Jayatilleke (SGP) 1:05.2, 3. B.G. Lakshila Maduwanthi (SGP) 1:05.8.

200m women: 1. Premila Priyadharshani (WP) 25.0secs, 2. R.M.C. Subashini (NWP) 25.1, 3. M.G. Lalana Shanthi (SP) 26.0.

Men: 1. S.M. Weerasooriya (WP) 22.0 secs, 2. R.M.M.S. Gayan Ratnayaka (WP) 22.2secs., 3. Shalitha Ramanayake (WP) 22.3secs.

800m women: 1. N.M.C. Dilrukshi (NWP) 2:11.90, 2. M.B.N.G. Rajasekera (CP) 2:13.38, 3. A.A.N. Sanjeevani (SP) 2:13.57.

Men: 1. D.D. Nuwan Nishanka (Uva) 1:54.41, 2. A.G.J.C. Edward (NCP) 1:54.87, 3. M.T. Warnapura (WP) 1:55.18.

4x100 relay women: 1. Western Province 48.64, 2. NWP 49.58, 3. SGP 50.15.

Men: 1. Western Province 42.1, 2. SP 43.0, 3. NWP 43.09.