Dammam, Saudi Arabia – April 17

The third day of the 6th Asian U18 Athletics Championships in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, delivered a vibrant mix of speed, strength, and rising talent from across the continent. Set against the backdrop of Prince Nayef Sports City, over 400 athletes representing 31 nations competed with passion and purpose. Among them, Sri Lanka earned three spots on the podium with standout performances in track and field.

🌟 Sewmini Fernando was the star on the track, sprinting to silver in the Girls’ 100m final. Clocking an impressive 11.92 seconds, she finished just behind China’s Zhang Qian, in what was one of the evening’s most closely watched races. Her performance not only demonstrated raw speed but also Sri Lanka’s growing potential in sprint events on the Asian stage.

🥉 Meanwhile, in the Boys’ 1500m final, Lahiru Achintha displayed excellent race awareness and endurance, finishing in third place with a time of 3:59.47. His tactical approach and strong finish earned Sri Lanka a bronze medal, making him one of the standout middle-distance performers of the day.

🏅 In addition to these podium finishes, Janith Lakshan Jenkins leapt into medal contention in the Men’s U18 Triple Jump, claiming silver with a mark of 15.10 meters, just behind China’s Dong Zhiyuan.

Though only three athletes officially medaled on Day 3, performances across the board showed promise, heart, and competitive spirit — vital traits for building a strong future in athletics.

Stay tuned as Team Sri Lanka continues to compete and inspire at this prestigious youth championship.

🟡 Sri Lanka’s Medal Count – Day 3
🥈 Sewmini Fernando – Girls’ 100m
🥈 Janith Lakshan Jenkins – Boys’ Triple Jump
🥉 Lahiru Achintha – Boys’ 1500m

#SriLankaAthletics #AsianU18 #SewminiFernando #LakshanJenkins #LahiruAchintha #SriLankanYouth #Dammam2025 #TrackAndField #SriLankanSportsTV #PrideOfTheNation

Sri Lanka Rugby has officially received the Sports Minister’s approval for a 25-member national squad, led by seasoned campaigner Nigel Ratwatte, ahead of the high-stakes playoff match against Malaysia. The game will determine qualification for the Asia Rugby Top 4 Championship, a key milestone in Sri Lanka’s bid for a spot at the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

The match, scheduled for April 19, is expected to be a fierce contest as the Tuskers aim to re-establish themselves among Asia’s rugby elite. A win would secure home games against South Korea and UAE, with the away fixture coming against Hong Kong.

The squad features a mix of experienced players and promising young talent, showing the depth of Sri Lanka’s rugby potential. Backline firepower includes Danushka Ranjan, Akash Madhushanka, and Janidu Dilshan, while the forward pack boasts names like Janidu Fernando, Pulasthi Dissanayake, and Lasindu Karunathilake.

Approved Squad for Malaysia Match

Forwards:

1. Janidu Fernando
2. Pulasthi Dissanayake
3. Senura Perera
4. Naveen Marasinghe
5. Thilina Bandara
6. Nizran Nillar
7. Tharindu Chathuranga
8. Lasindu Karunathilake

Backs:

1. Heshan Jansen
2. Nigel Ratwatte (Captain)
3. Janidu Dilshan
4. Akash Madhushanka
5. Danushka Ranjan
6. Dinal Ekanayake
7. Mursheed Zubair

Finishers (Replacements):

1. Vimukthi Gamage
2. Nirosh Perera
3. Mohamed Rifan
4. Thenuka Nanayakkara
5. Pasindu Bandara
6. Thanuja Jayaweera
7. Dahan Wickramarachchi
8. Venura Kodagoda

Standby:

1. Malitha Wijesundara
2. Hirantha Perera

Team Management & Support Staff

• Chef De Mission: Udaya Hettiarachchi
• Team Manager: Rohan Chinthaka
• Head Coach: Sanath Martis
• Forwards Coach: Dushanth Lewke
• Backs Coach: Saliya Kumara
• Strength & Conditioning Coach: Tharaka Algama
• Team Doctor: Dr. Pradeep Kiriella
• Physiotherapist: Shafin Majeed
• Masseurs: Manoj Silva, Sanka Dilshan de Silva, L. P. P. Sameera

With preparations intensifying, the squad is in full training mode under the guidance of Sanath Martis and his coaching unit. The players are eyeing a return to the continental spotlight, and the nation will be rallying behind the boys in maroon as they take on Malaysia in this do-or-die battle.

Stay tuned to Sri Lankan Sports TV for full match coverage and updates.

The 2025 edition of the Sri Lanka Inter-Schools Ritzbury Relay Championship concluded in grand style at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Sports Complex in Diyagama, showcasing the best of young athletic talent across the country. Organised by the Sri Lanka Schools Athletic Association (SLSA), this year’s relay meet brought together over 3,000 athletes from more than 100 schools, competing across five age categories – Under-12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 – for both boys and girls.

After three days of intense competition, Lyceum International School, Wattala emerged as the Girls’ overall champions, while St. Benedict’s College, Colombo clinched the Boys’ overall title, marking a remarkable finish to this year’s relay spectacle.

The championship not only celebrated school-level athletic excellence but also served as a platform for broader international collaboration. On the final day, Sri Lanka Athletics (SLA) hosted an invitational qualification relay event, aimed at selecting teams for the World Relay Athletics Championship 2025. Participating nations included Sri Lanka, India, and the Maldives, adding an exciting international flavour to the domestic meet.

The success of Relay Carnival 2025 highlighted the depth of school-level talent in Sri Lanka and underlined the importance of events like this in building a competitive future for the country on the global athletics stage