Athletics: Woman Soldier Nalini sets national record in steeple chase

Middle distance runner Nilani Ratnayake of Sri Lanka Army set a new meet record while claiming the Sri Lanka record in steeple chase on the first day of the 93rd National Athletic Championship at Diyagama which began on Friday (24).   Ratnayake timed 10.09.49minutes in the Women's 3000metre steeple chase event final while overwriting Eranga Dulakshi’s national record of 10.11.72minutes, set in 2012 in Colombo.   M.H.I. Sandaruwan from Sri Lanka Air Force won the Men’s Pole Vault event throwing a distance of 4.75metres.   Amanthi Silva, representing Sri Lanka Schools Athletic Association cleared 39.46metres to win the Women's Discus Throw event.   A.D.A. Fernando of Sri Lanka Army won the Women's Long Jump event.   K.G.U.P. Jayawardena won the Men's Discus Throw with a distance of 51.65metres while Manjula Kumara won the Men's High Jump event.   The championship ends on Sunday (26).