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by Leslie Fernando

National swimmer Ajith Weerakkody of Sri Lanka Navy won the men's event for the fifth year in succession while Imara Fahim of Otter Aquatic Club took the women's title at the prestigious 65th Annual Two Mile Sea Swim at the Mount Lavinia bay yesterday.

The event was sponsored by Bank of Ceylon (Principal sponsor) and Master Divers and Mount Lavinia Hotel and conducted by the National Amateur Aquatic Sports Union.

Ajith with his vast experience won the men's race with ease. He took the lead from the start and maintained it to the turn and at the finish. He was closely followed by his brother Sampath but was unable to surge ahead during the course.

Ajith timed 43.26 secs followed by Sampath of Sri Devananda Vidyalaya, Amblanagoda second 43.34 secs and Ajith Kumara of Peterite Swimming Club third 43.53 secs. Rumedha Madigasekera (St. Joseph's College) fourth - 46.55 secs, Ruwan Silva (SDVA) fifth - 47.14 secs, Duraj Rangana (SDVA) sixth - 47.26 secs, Dharshaka Tennakoon (Ananda) seventh - 47.44 secs, Mangala Rajapakse (PSC) eighth - 47.46 secs, Roshan Peiris (DCA) nineth 47.58 secs and Anesh Kumara (PSC) tenth - 48.31 secs.

Ajith carried away the John Wilson Challenge Trophy for his fine feat.

In the women's event it was a close tussle between Imara and Uma Kavya Dharmadasa of Musaeus College. Imara won it with a time of 52.08 secs, Uma Kavya second 53.10 secs, P. Pushpa Chandani (SDV) third 54.33 secs, last year winner Melisasa Boange (Elizabeth Moir IS) fourth - 55.05 secs and Zoe Sandya Veera (Asian International School) fifth 57.52 secs.

Imara was presented the Dennis Flamer Caldera Challenge Trophy.

Imara Fahim also achieved a superb double winning the Juvenile Girls event and her brother M. Imran Fahim also of Otter AC won the Juvenile Boys event.

Both Imara and Imran were awarded the Haalmassa Trophy outright donated by Vanden Driesan brothers (former Mt. Lavinia 2 mile swim champions), Jan, Jeremy, John and Jeffrey.

In the Juvenile Boys Eshan Fernando (PAC) came in second and Pasinda Thamisha (DCA) third and in the Juvenile Girls Uma Kavya Dharmadasa (Musaeus) second and Mihiri Kandanarachchi (Mahamaya College, Kandy) third.

The other awards went to - Oldest Men - S. N. J. Dias of Kinross SC. Oldest Women - Rupalatha Jayakkody (Sri Lanka Air Force).

Disabled Champion - (Bank of Ceylon Challenge Trophy) - K. V. C. Priyadharshana of Sri Lanka Army.

Police won both the Inter Services Championships (I. D. M. Vantwest Trophy) and the Highest Aggregate Points Championships (Harry Nightingale Trophy).

Men's Championships (Mount Lavinia Hotel Challenge Trophy) Sri Devananda Vidyalaya, Ambalangoda.

'Women's Championship (Colombo Mayors Trophy) - Otter Aquatic Club.

Douglas Weerasinghe, Deputy General Manager, Bank of Ceylon was the chief guest, while Bazeer Cassim, General Manager, Mount Lavinia Hotel and M. A. Wickremanayake, Chairman, Master Divers were guests of honour.

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