Schoolboys impress at relay trials
Sri Lanka discovered three promising junior athletes for the national relay team during a thrilling 4x400m Selection Trial held at the International Stadium in Diyagama, Homagama yesterday. The one-day trial, organised by Sri Lanka Athletics (SLA), saw Sadew Rajakaruna, Kalhara Indupa, and Omel Silva—all schoolboys—record personal best times and earn their places in the national squad.
In the final race, Kalinga Kumarage of Sri Lanka Army, a seasoned campaigner, finished first with a strong time of 46.10 seconds. However, the spotlight was firmly on the next three finishers—all schoolboys—who impressed the selectors with both speed and potential.
Kalhara Indupa of Ananda Sastralaya Kotte finished second with a personal best of 46.62 seconds, followed closely by Sadew Rajakaruna, who ran 46.76 seconds after clocking an even faster 46.34 in the heats, also a personal best. Omel Silva, another school athlete from St. Sebastian’s College, Kandana, placed fourth in the final with 46.94 seconds, bettering his own mark from the heats which stood at 46.62 seconds.
Sri Lanka Army runner S.K.A.M.I. Dismitha also clocked a personal best of 47.12 seconds, finishing fifth. Isuru Lakshan, who ran 46.62 in the heats, was disqualified in the final. Out of 18 athletes invited, 14 competed. Notable absentees included Olympian Aruna Dharshana, who is recovering from an injury. Pabasara Niku, a member of Sri Lanka’s national 400m relay quartet, missed the trial due to illness, while Dinuka Deshan and Harsha Karunaratne were absent without notice.
Following the trial, SLA confirmed the inclusion of Kalinga Kumarage, Sadew Rajakaruna, Omel Silva, and Kalhara Indupa in the national squad. These four will join Aruna Dharshana—once recovered—to form Sri Lanka’s five-member 4x400m relay pool.