North Western Province Wins Men’s Weightlifting Championship as North Central Tops Women’s Division at 50th National Sports Festival

The weightlifting competition of the 50th National Sports Festival 2026 concluded on October 18, bringing together athletes representing provinces across Sri Lanka.

The event was organised jointly by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Department of Sports Development.

The closing ceremony was attended by Deputy Director General of the Department of Sports Development Wajira Gunawardena, Chief Accountant Nuwan Prasad, Director of Sports I. P. Wijeratne and other officials.

Competitions were held across several weight categories for both men and women. Athletes demonstrated strong performances, with the overall standard of competition reported to be higher than in previous years.

Men’s Division Winners

In the men’s competition, Y. D. I. Kumara of North Western Province won first place in the 60kg category. K. C. A. S. D. Jayawardena, also representing North Western Province, won the 65kg category, while A. U. M. M. Wijesinghe secured the title in the 71kg category.

V. Chinthana Geethal Vidanage of North Central Province won the 79kg category, while P. M. Malawana of Western Province claimed first place in the 88kg category.

U. R. R. Jayasena of North Central Province won the 94kg category, and H. M. S. M. Dissanayake of North Western Province took the 110kg title. A. G. S. Abeywickrama of Western Province emerged victorious in the over-110kg category.

Women’s Division Winners

In the women’s competition, Upamalika Ravihari Gunathilaka of North Central Province won the 48kg category, while B. Dinusha Hansani Gomes of Western Province secured first place in the 53kg category.

E. R. D. Madhushini of North Western Province won the 58kg category, and M. Umera, also representing North Western Province, claimed the 63kg title.

H. H. K. Udeshika of Southern Province won the 69kg category, while V. Arshika of Northern Province took first place in the 77kg category.

G. G. G. D. T. Gurugama of North Central Province won the 86kg category, while B. Chathurika Priyanthi of Southern Province secured the title in the over-86kg category.

Best Athlete Awards and Overall Provincial Results

Y. D. I. Kumara of North Western Province was named the Best Male Athlete of the competition after recording a total lift of 255kg in the 60kg category. He achieved a formula score of 4.250.

Upamalika Ravihari Gunathilaka of North Central Province received the Best Female Athlete award after recording a total lift of 162kg in the 48kg category, with a formula score of 3.375.

Based on the overall results, North Western Province won the men’s team championship, while North Central Province finished as runners-up.

In the women’s competition, North Central Province claimed the team championship, while Southern Province and North Western Province shared the runners-up position.