The world has less seen twins with different likings. At many instances most twins end up with similar interests. Sachintha Dulanjani and Thakshila Lakshani who were born five minutes apart on the 13th of May, 1993 finally have settled to their liking in track and field events.

The twins, Sachintha and Thakshila who took up athletics without a drop of idea on what they are on to initially have progressed to become promising athletes. They are making a steady progress in triple and long jump events and are on the go at national level.

"Our main events are long and triple jumps but we also take part in relay sprints. We had a lot of confusions on selecting a perfect event at the beginning. Our coach and teacher-in-charge were really helpful in guiding us to the correct path," Sachintha, the elder of twins said.

The twins first took part at inter-house sports meet at their school, Holy Family Convent, Wennappuwa, the hometown of the twins. They were slightly eleven years of age and were in their sixth grade when Sachintha and Thakshila developed a liking for track and field events. Without a coach or proper guidance they did all events that were available in track and field events.

First they took up sprinting and then focused on middle-distance running. But their attempts were all a vain. Ultimately the twins focused on the field events that brought them success. Teacher-in-charge, Ruvina Perera who has been the shadow of the twins' right throughout their career validated the great struggle of Sachintha and Thakshila.

"They were more attracted at track events during their earlier days. I have seen the girls try hard every day with great interest though they waited years to achieve success. Now they have selected the most suitable events to fit their appetite. The correct guidance of their coach, S. H. Somadasa was really useful on this," Perera who has seen the girls grow up ever since said.

With great commitment, Sachintha and Thakshila first enjoyed placing at an event after two years from the commencement of their sport career, but in field events. Ever since that triumph, the twins have won a combined tally of 108 medals and over 350 certificates at district and national levels. However during their career span of eight years, the elder of the twins, Sachintha has been able to outshine her younger sibling in performance.

"I experienced a wheeze after about a year after we first took up athletics. I also had to undergo a surgery and as a result I could not attend practices for quite a period of time. This was the slight setback from my bit of contribution as a twin. I'm glad that Sachintha has been able to achieve a lot than me. But after my return I focused more at practices and our coach has been really helpful on this," Thakshila, the younger twin said.

Their commitment coupled up with great backing from the coach and parents have often pushed the twins to finish up first and second in their favourite events. Sachintha has been often the most successful athlete in that aspect while Thakshila at certain occasions have managed to beat her sister in the recent outings.

The twins continue practicing five days per week still up to now to perfect their skills and reach the top level they could attain. Their father has been a tower of strength throughout their career and interestingly he has been the person to push them both into sports. Their school, Holy Family Convent, Wennappuwa looks into the well being of the two athletes but at the same time there are areas to be addressed in order to make the lives of the twins more comfortable and result orienting. The girls think that indulging at an individual sport than a team game is easier and are of fewer mishaps in terms of success.
"At team events we find the interest of other girls not the same as us. So it is more encouraging and achievable doing individual sports like jumps and sprints. It is our own interest that helps us to go on in this field and when it comes to a team game very rarely you see a match. But we are practicing each day with a certain goal for the future," the twins claimed.

At the moment the twins receive the support of a few well wishers who support them with sporting gear. These gestures have doubled their dedication which is ever undying according to their teacher-in-charge Perera. The twins have already caught the cynosure of the athletic fraternity where some clubs are said to be on the fray to get their services soon after the school career. The progress of the twins have been wonderfully on the rise as they emerged the first and second places at the John Tarbet athletic meet at triple jump.

"The twins are loved by all here in Wennappuwa. They are quite famous here though they are really shy to move around with others. But certain athletics clubs and armed forces have already started to bid on them after their recent performances. It's really happy to see them achieve this success and if they continue with this pace both Sachintha and Thakshila will certainly reach the international level very soon," Perera added.