Akila and Avanthi best athletes in Matara
View(s):Akila Imantha Nilaweera and W.G. Avanthi Imeshika both of Matara Divisional Secretary area were adjudged the best male and female athletes at the Matara District Inter-Divisional Secretariat Athletics Meet held at the Uyanwatta Stadium last Sunday.
R.D. Manisha Lakshitha of Dikwella DS, who won the 100 metre event for Boy’s Under-16 with a time of 12.5 seconds and S.H. Savindi Kavishka, also of Dikwella DS, who won the long jump event for Girls Under-16 with a 5.08 metre jump were adjudged the best male and female junior athletes at the meet.
Overall Champs Matara DS team with Minister Weerasumana Weerasinghe
Akila established a new meet record of 14.9 seconds for the 110 metre hurdle event erasing the 15.7 second record established by J.B. Niluka Madusan also of Matara DS in 2006. W.G. Avanthi Imeshika established two new meet records for the 100m and 200m sprints for women. She recorded a time of 12.4 seconds to erase the 12.8 second record established by Lalani Kulathunge (Matara DS) in 1989 and equaled by K.C.C. Priyadarshani (Weligama DS) in 2000 and by T.K.A.A. Gayani Wasana (Matara) in 2016.
In the 200m event Avanthi set a new meet record of 25.4 seconds erasing the 26.4 second mark set by Swarnamali Edirisinghe (Pasgoda DS) in 1979 and equaled by K.C.C. Priyadarshini (Weligama DS) in 2003. H. Nisansala Lakmali of Pitabeddara DS established the fourth record of the meet by throwing the Javline a distance of 37 metres to erase the 32.82-metre distance thrown by W.C.R. Dilrukshi of Kotapola DS in 2006.
Southern Provincial Minister of Sports Weerasumana Weerasinghe was the Chief Guest at this year’s meet while Keshani Samarakoon, a champion middle distance runner who brought glory to the district was the guest of honour. - Text and pix P.D. de Silva
Matara DS overall winners with 95 points
Avanthi Imeshika (Best Female Athlete)
Akila Imantha Nilaweera (Best Athlete)