Central breaks swimming hoodoo

By Aubrey Kuruppu

Western Province’s 32 years domination of the Festival Games – Swimming was brought to an end earlier in the week by the Central Province at the Sugathadasa Aquatic Facility.

The star-studded Central province squad picked up 18 golds as opposed to 13 by their counterparts from the Western Province.

The boy’s team was led by Dilina Dissanaike (Trinity) and the girl’s team by Mahamaya’s Mihiri Kandanarachchi.

The star performers among the boys were Trinitians Heshan Unambuwe (3 golds), Dilina Dissanaike (2 golds), Chaminda Wickremasinghe and Pradeep Wanigasekera (1 gold each). These four swimmers combined perfectly to win two relays.

Miniruwani Samarakoon of Gateway (3 golds), Madhavi Weeratunga (3 golds), Hansani Weeratunga (1 gold), Sunetra Wijeratne (1 gold) all of Mahamaya performed in an outstanding manner, Miniruwan Samarakoon and Udari Mendis (Gateway) teamed up well with Madhavi Weeratunga and Hansani (of Mahamaya) to win the 4x50 metres relay.

Heshan Unamboowe accounted for new records in the 200 metres individual Medley and the 400 metres free style. Dilina Dissanaike’s record came in the 200 metres free style, while Chaminda Wickremasinghe’s record was in the 100 metres free style.
Trinity’s swimming coaches – Pemlath and Sugath were greatly responsible for this victory. A.R. Kulatunga was the coordinator of the boy’s team and plus S. Mediwaka of the girl’s team.