Rushalee Dissanayake stamps her authority with two junior records at Long Course Trials
Musaeus College’s Rushalee Dissanayake stamped her authority at the Long Course Swimming Time Trial, emerging as the only swimmer to win all five events while surpassing two junior national record timings at the Sugathadasa Swimming Pool Complex yesterday.
The three-day event, organised by the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU), saw the 14-year-old national squad member from Rainbow Aquatics deliver a series of stunning performances in the Girls’ Under-15 Junior National category. Dissanayake rewrote the junior national record in the 400m Individual Medley, clocking 5:51.81 to surpass the previous record of 5:52.69 set by Minagi Rupesinghe of St. Bridget’s Convent in 2019.
On the opening day, she shattered another junior national record in the 400m Freestyle, touching in 4:54.22 to break the 4:56.21 mark set by Ramudi Samarakoon of Visakha Vidyalaya in 2016. She also dominated the 800m Freestyle, clocking 10:14.08 for another convincing victory.
Dissanayake maintained her winning streak on the second day, clinching the 50m Butterfly in 32.73—an emphatic win with a two-second lead over her closest competitor. She then sealed her fifth triumph in the 1500m Freestyle, finishing in 20:35.92.
Winning all five of her time trial events and surpassing two junior national records, Dissanayake proved to be the standout performer of the meet. The final day of the competition continues today with more exciting performances anticipated.