Will Jani jinx rock Sri Lanka again?

By Namal Pathirage reporting from Cochin

Will Jani Chathurangi Silva become Sri Lanka’s jinx once again? This was the question that was rounding the South Asian Athletic Championship that came to an end at Cohin City, Kerala, India yesterday.

The reason – In spite of the Sri Lankan authorities had included this controversial athlete for this meet she still has not been cleared by the World Athletic authorities who took her to task a few weeks ago. Now there is speculation that India might lodge a protest about her participation at this tournament. Jani won a Silver on Friday in the women’s 100 metre event and was a member of the 4 x 100 women’s relay event which Sri Lanka won the ‘gold’.

However the toast of Sri Lanka yesterday was Premila Priyadhashini. Out of the four ‘gold’ that was won by Sri Lanka yesterday, Premila was responsible for the women’s 200 metres first place while she also was a part of the sprint team that won the ‘gold’ in the 4 x 100 event.

For Sri Lanka the other two ‘gold’ were brought home by the 4 x 400 metre contingent along with Shivanga Weerasuriya who won the men’s 200metre event.

In the final tally of medals India led with 24 (gold), 19 (silver) and 14 (Bronze). Sri Lanka was second with 7 (gold), 9 (silver) and 15 (bronze) and Pakistan third with 3 (gold), 6 (silver) and 5 (bronze).