Twelve Lankan athletes for Indian Inter-State Championship

Twelve athletes are expected to take part at the 61th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championship in Chennai, Tamil Nadu which is scheduled to be held from June 10 to14. .

Sri Lanka Athletics (SLA) headed by Major General Palitha Fernando are planning to give promising talented athletes this chance to get more exposure.

(no 338) Anura Dharshana (4×400 relay)

The 4x 400 men’s relay team, 4x 100 women’s relay team comprising five athletes each and two athletes for individual events men’s 110m hurdles and men’s Triple jump event are expected to compete in this Indian Inter State Championship in Chennai.

The 4x 400m men’s relay team comprises Aruna Dharshana,Isuru Lakshan, Pabasara Niku, Dinuka Deshan and R.M Rajakaruna (four players and stand by ) while 4×100 m women’s relay team comprising Amasha de Silva (the present 100m fastest women athlete), Rumeshika Ratnayake, Selinda Jansen, Medhani Jayamanne and Lakshika Sugandi (four players and one stand by).

Meanwhile Sri Lankan 110 m hurdles champion Roshan Dhammika Ranatunga and triple jumper Chamal Kumarasiri who set up new meet records at the Senior National Athletic Championship recently will accompany the team meeting their own expenses to focus on international experience.

Roshan Dhammika Ranatunga (110m hurdles)

(No 308) Chamal Kumarasiri (triple jump)

Sri Lanka Athletics Selection Committee chairman Wimalasena Perera who celebrated his 77th birthday yesterday said this Indian Inter State Championship is very important for the Sri Lankan athletes. Actually all these selected athletes really performed well during the last National Senior Athletic Championship.

We have already focused on relay teams 4x100m ,4x400m and mixed relay for the future International meets and these type of meets give much needed exposure for relay teams and SLA took a brave decision to send these teams for this tour added Wimalasena Perera who was a Mexico Olympics marathoner.We had very limited facilities those days but today there are more opportunities and more facilities for the athletes and they will have this advantage said Selection Committee chairman Wimalasena Perera.

Sri Lankan athletic team for Indian Inter State Senior Athletics Championship

(Subject to approval from the Sports Ministry):

4x100m women’s relay team -Amasha de Silva,Rumeshika Ratnayake, Shelinda Jansen Medhani Jayamanne,Lakshika Sugandi

110m men’s hurdles -Roshan Dhammika Ranatunga

Triple jump men’s- Chamal Kumarasiri