Aruna and Sugandi take silver and bronze medals in India

Sri Lankan sprinter Amasha de Silva was placed fourth in the 100m final of the Indian 61st National Inter-State Athletic Championship held in Chennai, India on Saturday. The National champion clocked 11.78 seconds at this meet but that was not her best performance of the event.

In the semi-finals, she finished in third place with 11.79 seconds in the event and was able to improve her timing in the final. Meanwhile, Aruna Dharshana who ran 400 metres was placed second with 46.34 seconds while Lakshika Sugandi finished third with 13.90 seconds at the 100metres hurdles event.

Roshan Dhammika Ranatunga the 110m hurdler, Chamal Kumarasiri triple jumper, and the men’s 4 X 400 team are also expected to take part in their events during this four-day event in Chennai.

Meanwhile, a few National top athletes also competed at the meet in Geneva Switzerland. Sarangi Silva stole the limelight at the meet when she was placed first with 6.33m in the long jump Kalinga Kumarage the National ranked one 400 metres athlete was placed sixth in the 400m in 46.42 seconds while 800m National champion Gayanthika Abeyratne was placed seventh in two minutes and 03.62 seconds (2.03.62sec).

Sri Lankan Olympian Javelin thrower Sumedha Ranasinghe was placed fourth with a distance of 70.21 metres. The four athletes Sarangi de Silva, Kalinga Kumarage, Gayanthika Abeyratne, and Sumedha Ranasinghe will compete in their second meet in Geneva Switzerland on June 14 (Tuesday).

The National coach Y.K Kularatne who is the personal coach of long jumper Sarangi Silva is in Geneva said International meets are very important for National athletes to get more exposure.

Sarangi, Gayanthika, Sumedha, and Kalinga have already qualified for the Commonwealth Games and these Meets give them a big boost said Y.K Kularatne the National coach.