John Tarbat on June 28
By M. Shamil Amit
The junior schools athletic meet conducted by the Sri Lanka Schools Athletic Association (SLSAA) and fought out for the Sir John Tarbet Shield will get underway on June 28 at the Mahaweli Stadium in Embilipitiya. The three day event sponsored by Nestle Lanka Ltd is scheduled to end on June 30.

The meet has attracted 2675 athletes (boys and girls) from 226 schools around the island. The boys will consist of 1450 participants and the girl’s category will have 1225. The meet will be held in the age group of Under 12, 13, 14 and 15.

But according to information received the participation of athletes from the Western Province is in doubt because it’s clashing with the Western Province athletic meet which is scheduled to end on June 27.
Apart from the Sir John Tarbet meet the SLSAA will be conducting an Under 20 Mini Marathon for both the boys and girls category. The winner of the boy’s event will be awarded the K.A. Karunaratne trophy while the winner of the girl’s category will be awarded the Thamara Padmini Challenge trophy.

This event is scheduled to be held on the last day of the meet at 6.00 a.m. and all the participants are requested to report at the Stadium on that day along with an application certified by the school principal.

Gateway Colours nite
The 8th Annual Colours Nite will be held on the 23rd June 2008 from 6.00 pm onwards at The BMICH Committee Room “B” with Dr. Maiya Gunasekera Chairman of the National Sports Council as chief guest.

Kandy drub Army
By Aubrey Kuruppu
A three try burst by nippy omnipresent stand-in scrum half Krishantha Rajapakse was the feature of Kandy SC’s comprehensive 53 points (4 goals, 5 tries) to nil win over the Army in the second round match Caltex league rugby game at Nittawela yesterday.

Rajapakse had the knack of being where the action was and his ability to indulge in zig-zag running saw him slip through the gaps. Winger Kusal Rankotu was able to finish off two moves by going over.
Eranga Swarnatilleke, Pradeep Liyanage, Sean Wanigasekera and Eranda Weerakkody touched down once each. The conversions fell toi the credit of Weerakkody.
Referee: Aruna Rankothge.

Nirmani outstanding
By S.M.D. Sirisena
Achintha Nirmani of Musaeus College was adjudged the most outstanding athlete in the Under 20 age group for clocking 12.63 secs in the 100 M dash at the Women’s Championships 2008 conducted by the Athletic Association of Sri Lanka and sponsored by Sri Lanka Telecom which concluded at the Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday.

Following are the other outstanding performances at the meet:
Under 12: D.D.H. Premasiri (Sri Summangala MMV Wariyapola) – 100M : 14.28 secs; Under 14: Ruwanthi Ferdinandes (Gateway College) – 200M: 27.97 secs; Under 16: Nayomika Gimhani (Sumana Balikja MV Ratnapura) – 400M – 58.22 secs; Under 18: Danukshika Fernando (Ladies College) – 200M: 26.49 secs; Most Outstanding Athlete: N.C.D. Priyadarshani (Sri Lanka Navy): Long Jump – 6.21M

Heshan three records
Trinity’s Heshan Unamboowe set up three new meet records at the ongoing 36th Annual Sri Lanka School’s All Island Swimming and Diving Championships – 2008 at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium Swimming Pool yesterday. He bagged the 200 M freestyle under 17 boy’s event with a time of 2:02.20. On the earlier two days Heshan set up records in the 200 M. Backstroke and the 100 M. Butterfly with timings of 02.16.90 and 01.00.85 secs. respectively. (SMDS)