Gampaha and Kandy Share Overall Championship at 36th National Youth Sports Festival

Gampaha and Kandy districts jointly claimed the overall championship at the 36th National Youth Sports Festival, securing 130 points each. Galle District finished third with 106 points.

The festival, organised jointly by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the National Youth Services Council and the Sri Lanka Federation of Youth Clubs, was held from October 31 to November 1 at the Diyagama Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium.

The competition concluded following the completion of the athletics events.

Athletes also established 21 new swimming records and nine new athletics records at the 36th National Youth Sports Festival.

The nine new athletics records were set in the following events:

1. I. A. I. Minoli Fernando – Women's High Jump (Gampaha District) – 1.75 metres.

2. I. S. W. Arachchi – Women's Triple Jump (Hambantota District) – 13.03 metres.

3. G. A. A. Pansilu Giridara – 800 metres (Gampaha District) – 1:52.63.

4. I. S. W. Arachchi – Women's Long Jump (Hambantota District) – 6.14 metres.

5. S. K. D. Kumara – 200 metres (Kegalle District) – 21.49 seconds.

6. P. M. G. L. Kodikara – 400 metres (Kurunegala District) – 46.44 seconds.

7. M. D. Chathuranga – 400 metres Hurdles (Kegalle District) – 50.06 seconds.

8. U. D. W. Y. W. Kumara – Triple Jump (Gampaha District) – 16.15 metres.

9. 4 x 400 metres relay team – Kegalle District – 3:13.61.

The two districts sharing the overall championship each received a trophy and a cash prize of Rs. 200,000, bringing their combined prize money to Rs. 400,000. Galle District received Rs. 100,000 for securing third place.

The Most Outstanding Female Athlete award went to A. W. G. J. S. Wijethunga of Gampaha District, who set a new record in the 400-metre event with a time of 54.30 seconds.

The Most Outstanding Male Athlete award was presented to M. D. Chathuranga of Kegalle District, who established a new record in the 400-metre hurdles with a time of 50.06 seconds.

The two outstanding athletes each received a cash prize of Rs. 1 million.

The closing ceremony was held under the patronage of Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa and Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage.

Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs Dinidu Saman Hennayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports S. Achchuthan, and Chairman and Director General of the National Youth Services Council, Attorney-at-Law Supun Wijeratne, along with members of the council's board of directors, also attended the ceremony.