Athletics: Western Province emerge overall champs at 42nd National Sports Festival

Western Province retained their stronghold as the most productive region in sports for yet another year, emerging overall winners at the 42nd National Sports Festival, which ended at the Duraiappa Stadium in Jaffna on Sunday (2).

Western Province bagged a total of 113 gold medals, which is a new record, as Southern finished at second with 33 gold medals, ahead of Central, who clinched 28.

Mohamed Mifran of Eastern Province was adjudged the Best Athlete in Men's while W.K.L.A. Nimali of Southern Province was the Best Athlete in Women's. 

K.S.L.Wickremasinghe of Southern Province, who won the Men’s 100m and S.L. Vidanadurage of Uva Province, both won motorbikes, after becoming fastest man and women of the championship respectively. 

The event produced four national records and four new meet records. 

The 43rd National Sports Festival will be held in Sabaragamuwa Province in 2017.

New Sri Lanka records:

Pole Vault (Men’s): 1. Ishara Sandaruwan - 5.10m (Western), 2. L.A.R.K.K. Balasuriya (North-Western), 3. K. Kanatheepan (North).

800m (Women’s): 1. W.K.L.A. Nimali - 2m:3.5s (Southern), 2. G.T.A. Abeyratne (Southern), 3. K.A.D. Sandyakanthi (Southern).

Shot-put (Women’s): 1. W.D.K. Fernando - 15.25m (Western), 2. Priyangika Kumari (Southern), 3. Sameema Rishard (Western).

Pole Vault (Women’s): 1. J. Anitha - 3.41m (Northern), 2. P.M.A.H. Dilrukshi (North-Central), 3. J. Sugirtha (Northern).

New meet records:

Hammer Throw (Women’s): 1. A.W.A.S.M. Amarasinghe - 45.85m (Southern), 2. Ayesha Maduwanthi (Uva), 3. Aruni Lakshika (Western).

Javelin Throw (Men’s): 1. Waruna Lakshan - 78.52m (North Western), 2. D.S. Ranasinghe (Southern), 3. W.B. Rajitha (North Western).

1500m (Women’s): 1. G.T.A. Abeyrathne - 4:18.7sec (North Western), 2. Nilani Rathnayake (Sabaragamuwa), 3. J.M.N.U.K. Jayasundera (Central).

400x4m (Women’s): 1. Southern Province (3:43.5secs.), 2. Central Province, 3. North Western Province.