Athletics: Romesh and Dilrukshi emerge 21km road race champions

M. Samendra Romesh of Prince of Wales College Moratuwa and Dilrukshi Samarakoon of Welimada Central emerged boys and girls champions respectively at the seventh open ''U.G. Muthu Banda Challenge Trophy'' All-Island Schools 21km Road Race for boys and girls held at Hasalaka town in Kandy. 

The Central Provincial Education Department together with U.G.M Foundation organised and conducted the event. 

In the all island schools road race for boys Cambrian Samendra Romesh with a timing of 1h,16m,37sec emerged the winner while Eranda Madushanka (1h,16m,45sec) of Janadhipathi Vidyalaya Ambagasdowa finished close second followed by N. Dananjaya Prasad of Vidyartha College Kandy finished third with a timing of 1h, 17m. 

In the girls event Dilrukshi Samarakoon of Welimada Central returned best timing of 1h, 36m, 9sec to win the first place. 

While Nisansala Jayaneththi of Janadhipathi Vidyalaya Ambagasdowa finished second with a timing of 1h,38m, 47sec followed by Nadeera Senevirathna of Delta Gamunupura Vidyalaya Kothmale (1h,41m,15sec) came third. 

Over 200 athletes, boys and girls took part in this event conducted for the seventh consecutive year in honour of veteran long distance runner U.G. Muthu Banda hailing from Matale. 

In the 10 km road race which was held exclusively for the boys and girls athletes representing schools in central province, Chandana Gunarathna of Berrewatts College Ampitiya Kandy clocked 34 m, 1sec to emerge the winner Sajith Umayanga of Vidyartha Kandy finished 2nd with 34m, 58sec followed by Dananjaya Alwis of Sri Rahula College Katugastota third (37m, 51sec). 

Dilini Mihirani Weerasooriya of Pallebowela MV Haguranketha with a best timing of 45m, 20sec won the girls 10 km road race while Wathsala Madushani Herath from Chulabhaya secondary school Ududumbara was placed second with a timing of 45m, 29 sec followed by Nimali Madubashini of Sri Rahula Katugastota 3rd with 45m, 34 sec.