Abeyratne sets new Sri Lanka record

ATHLETICS: P.T.K. Abeyratne (Ratnayake Central College, Walala) stole the lime light when she established a new Sri Lanka record in the women's Pole Vault on the opening day of the first selection trials of Athletic Association of Sri Lanka, at Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo, yesterday.

She put up a superb performance to shatter the record with an impressive 2.35 meters. Her team mate Anne Piumali who finished second with 2.30 meters. M.S. Jayawardane also from Ratnayake CC, Walala ended up as third with 2.20 meters.

In the open men 800 M S.B. Abeynayake (SL Army) came first with a convincing timing of 1:48.18 seconds, T.M.E. Tennakoon (SL Army) finished first in 5000 M with 14:45.8 seconds, W.O.L.U.R. Perera (SL Air Force) won the Shot Put event where a threw a distance of 14.97 M, S. Pathirana (Sri Lak AC) finished first in High Jump event with 2.07 meters.

In the Triple Jump event M.G.C.N. Gamage (SL Army) dominated with 16.12 M, H.K. Gunatilake (SL Navy) registered 66.58 M to triumph Javelin Throw.

In the Open women 800 M L.L. Gunawardane (SL Air Force) came top with 2:13.10 seconds, H.A.T.S. Jayasekara (SL Air Force) with 17:47.57 seconds won the 5000 M, M.N. Kalupahana (Track Master SC) won the 100 M Hurdles with 15.32 seconds, B.L. Nadika Lakmali (SL Army) won the Javelin Throw event with 52.07 M.

In the boys under 20 800 M A.M.E.K.D. Abeysinghe (Ratnayake CC, Walala) won with 1:52.91 seconds, H.M. Sudesh Prasanna (W/M Yapahuwa MV) won the 10000 M with 34:32.55 seconds, W.A. Amitha Kasun (Navodaya MV A/Rajanganaya) finished first in High Jump with 1.97 meters, M.G. Asanka Sandaruwan (A/Sirimapura MV) won the Triple Jump with 14.73 M, K.W.H.M. Charith Kapkotuwa (Ananda College) won the Discus Throw with 42.24 M, M.W.J.G.C. Wijesoora (SL Army) came top in Pole Vault (3.60 M).

In the girls 800 M Y. Udeni Pushpakumari (Puttlam DAA) finished first with (2:21.88 seconds), W.K.L.A. Nimali (Hambantota DAA) won the 5000 M (18:52.18 secs.), Shayani Mahaliyana (St. Bridget's Convent) won the 100M Hurdles (15.9 secs), H.B. Achintha Nirmani (Musaeus College) won the Long jump (5.52 M), W.M.S.K. Weerasekara (Polonnaruwa DAA) won the Discus Throw event (39.74 M).

In the under 18 boys 200 M event Shehan Abeypitiya (Track Master SC) came first (22:37 secs.) while Gayandhi Ranabahu (Gateway College) was the girls winner (26.89 secs) in u-18 200 M event.

S.A