Athletics: Lionel Samarajeeva to run at IAAF World Cross Country in Uganda

With his cross country performance at Cross Country race held in Nuwara Eliya last week Lionel Samarajeeva of Central Province is hopeful to represent Sri Lanka at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships to be held in Uganda on March 26. 

This was confirmed by Saman Kumara Gunewardena, Chairman Athletics Selection Committee, Athletics Association of Sri Lanka. 

Gayanthika Abeyrathne (Southern) who won the women’s race in Nuwara Eliya has indicated that she personally does not like to race in Uganda. 

She has said that her main target is the Asian Games. 

Her events are 800 metres and 1500 metres. 

She has competed in the Nuwara Eliya event because there were no racing events during that period. 

Lionel Samarajeeva of Central Province and Gayanthika Abeyrathne of Southern Province emerged winners of the Cross Country Race held in Nuwara Eliya in connection with the 42nd National Sports Festival. 

Samarajeeva clocked 33 minutes 00 seconds while Gayanthika returned a time of 38 minutes 33 seconds. Ninety men and 54 women competed for the Nuwara Eliya Cross Country. 

Central Province bagged the championship titles for men and women. Following are the results and timings: 

Men: 1.Lionel Samarajeeva (Central) 33 minutes 00 seconds, 2.RMS Pushpakumara (Western) 33 minutes 16 seconds, 3.ME Tennakoon (Uva) 33 minutes 32 seconds, 4.S. Chandradas (Central) 33 minutes 40 seconds, 5.ST Gunasekara(Western ) 33 minutes 45 seconds 

Women: 1.Gayanthika Abeyrathne (Southern) 38 minutes 33 seconds, 2.Nilani Ariyadasa (Sabaragamuwa ) 39 minutes 21 seconds, 3.Anusha Lamahewa (Uva Province) 39 minutes 53 seconds, 4.Niluka Rajasekara(Western) 40 minutes 33 seconds, 5.M.N. Priyadarshani (Central) 40 minutes 42 seconds 

Team Championship 

Women: 1. Central Province 2. Western Province 3. Uva Province 

Men: 1. Central Province 2. Western Province 3. Uva Province