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Tillekaratne out of today's Grand Prix
By Bernie Wijesekera
Ace runner in the 400 metres Sugath Tillekeratne is out of the second leg of the Asian Grand Prix 2004 (injured) according to National Coach Lakshman De Alwis.

Speaking to The Sunday Times De Alwis said Sugath was placed fourth in the first leg in Thailand due to his injury and he failed to take part in the team event, the men's 4 X 400 metres relay.

SriLanka was placed 16th in the World Olympic Relay event with India close behind. It is an important event for Sri Lanka's athletic image.
Schoolboy Manoj Pushpakumara, who won a 'silver' in the Asian Junior Championship at the meet in the 400 metres held in Malaysia with a time of 46.5 secs will run in today's flat race. A good performance against the seniors today, he will be eligible for the Manila third leg on July 1, said De Alwis.
The team will leave for the Philippines today (Sunday June 27) after the Games tonight.

What about Tillekeratne.
He has to submit a medical certificate; still he has not submitted one. In today's 4 X 400 M Relay standby Rohita Pushpakumara, will replace Sugath.
Nine Sri Lankan athletes have qualified.

Being the host nation, we could add two more athletes per event and make it a team of 54.
Olympics (Sydney Medal winner), Susanthika Jayasinghe, who won the 200 M women's in the Thai first leg, should give a repeat to the echo: 'Go Susie Go'.
Damayanthi Dharsha will come under tremendous pressure. She has won Asian Games 'triple gold'. But she has to generate tremendous fire and power to out run Svetlana Bodritskaya and India's Sathi Geeta in the women's 400 metres at 4.15 p.m. today.

In the men's section there are 23 events starting off with the discus throw at 4.15 p.m.
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, who was an athlete and a rugby player, will be the chief guest at the opening ceremony.

The Sri Lanka AAA will present a special memento to the amiable Prime Minister for his contribution to track and field sports during his tenure as President of the Sri Lanka AAA.

Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Jeevan Kumaratunga and his deputy Sripathi Sooriyarachchi, Maurice Nicholas, Secretary of the Asian Athletic Association and the Mayor of Colombo Prasanna Gunawardena will be the guests of honour .

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