Special Trophies at Relay Carnival

Chris Dhambarage

The Mobitel relay carnival conducted by the Athletic Association of Sri Lanka in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Schools Athletic Association and sponsored by Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel will be worked off from May 10 to 12 at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo.

A total of over 2,800 athletes from 162 schools will be vying for honours in this event in the age groups of under 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 in addition to the Decathlon and Heptathlon events.

All preliminary round events will be worked off on the opening day commencing at 9.00 a.m. However only one International School have confirmed their participation in this event.

The feature in this year's meet will be the presentation of three special awards in memory of late Lakshman de Alwis, K. A. Karunaratne and R. A. Siripala who sacrificed their lives in a bomb blast when organising a marathon race in Weliweriya recently.

The President of the Athletic Association of Sri Lanka Major General Palitha Fernando said that all arrangements have been finalised to conduct this popular event in a grand scale while addressing a media conference on Tuesday at the AA Headquarters in Torrignton Square.

He noted that Lakshman de Alwis, K. A. Karunaratne and R. A. Siripala have rendered valuable services to the nation and the AA have decided to present three special trophies in memory of them to the winners of three different age group categories.

He further said that the relay carnival is a much looked forward event in the athletic calendar because of the large number of athletes who compete together during a short period of time. Accommodation for the athletes will be provided at St. Benedict's College and Good Shepherd Convent Kotahena.

The AA President also commended the sponsors Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel for coming forward to their assistance in a short period of time and hoped that they would provide their support in the coming years too.

The Schools Athletic Association too have made arrangements to donate three trophies in memory of the officials who died at the Weliweriya incident.