Sriyani Kulawansa in a happy mood
after winning the women's 100 metres heat.

• Ruwan Pradeep lowers own pole vault record
• Whatmore is happy to be back in Lanka
• Theekshana lowers three swim records
• Sunil Peiris re-elected
• We enter the British Domain
• Strict discipline says Shafi
• Rover pinpoints......

Ruwan Pradeep lowers own pole vault record

By Annesley Ferreira

Ruwan Pradeep Perera who started his first vault with a stick and thereafter a bamboo pole, proved his worth beyond doubt when he broke his own record in the pole vault event for the sixth time, on the penultimate day of the 77th National Athletic Championships at the Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday.

Perera, in the process also set up a new Sri Lanka record by clearing 4.85 metres and also vaulted over the SAF Games record of 4.83 set up by M.A.Eldo of Pakistan in 1989 (Islamabad).

Amongst the Sri Lankan record breakers on day two, Sriyani Kulawansa was clocked at 13.22 in the 100 metres hurdles, which is an improvement on her own record of 13.34 seconds.

The third record yesterday belonged to Anusha Kariyawasam in the women's triple jump, where she leaped 12.81 metres improving on the record of 12.53 held by Rikshi Thushara Ariyaratne on November 1 last year.

By this effort Anusha, who is back from Italy, proved that she had been in constant training.

In the women's 200 metres Damayanthi Darsha won the event in a time of 23.61 seconds, but failed to beat the record held by Susanthika Jayasinghe which is 23.23.

Surprisingly, Darsha came under the starter's orders in the women's 100 metres and won her heat with ease while Sriyani Kulawansa won heat two.

It will be of interest to note who will emerge as the winner today, since it is reliably learnt that they ran to determine who will be in the 4 X 100 metres relay quartet for the SAF Games in Kathmandu (Nepal) next month.

In the absence of Sugath Tillekeratne, due to injury, India's P.Ramachandra won the men's 200 metres dash in a photo-finish with a time of 21.67 sec. with K.S.Mendis of the Army, who clocked 21.69 sec. and A.R.M.C.B.Ratnayake crossing the line in 21.93 secs.

Damayanthi is also expected to run in the women's 400 metres, where she will figure in a straight final today.

Saman Deepika of the Army finished a good second to Darsha in the women's 200 metres final with a time of 24.96 sec. with Nimmi de Soyza of Sri Lak third with a time of 24.97 secs.

Sujeewa Nilmini Jayasena won the women's 10.000 metres with ease, having no opposition at all, to clinch the much deserved 'double' after failing to better her own record of 35 minutes 57.56 sec. whilst her old record stood at 35 minutes 03.00 seconds.

C.Latha of India won the women's 800 metres crossing the line in 10.19 secs.

Whatmore is happy to be back in Lanka

By Marlon Fernandopulle

Sri Lanka's new cricket coach Davnall Whatmore arrived last afternoon and will get down to business with the national squad tomorrow.

Speaking to the Sunday Times soon after his arrival, the Sri Lankan born Australian said,"I am very very happy to be back in Sri Lanka and looking forward to my new assignment as coach of the national team. It's a huge challange,no doubt, but I love it."

Whatmore was welcomed at the Colombo Airport by Sri Lanka's new Manager Chandra Schafter and Cricket Board Official, M Rajasingham. Whatmore who arrived from London was accompanied by his wife Catherine,and his two children Alexandria (15) and Davenall jnr.(7).

When asked to comment on Muttaih Muralitharan's spectacular performance on his debut for Lancashire, Whatmore said: "Murali is killing the Englishmen with his spin.I am delighted with his performance and very satisfied with his progress."The Sri Lankan off spinner is expected to play one more four day game and a few more one dayers before arriving in Sri Lanka on August 18. of (Pic. on page 18)

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