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Sri Lanka’s former national javelin record holders Sachith Maduranga and Waruna Lakshan Dayaratne have hailed Rumesh Tharanga’s historic performance at the Rome Diamond League as a defining moment for Sri Lankan athletics, saying it has shattered long-standing misconceptions about the country’s ability to compete with the world’s best.
Tharanga produced a stunning world-leading throw of 92.62 metres at the Golden Gala Pietro Mennea meeting in Rome, setting a new meet record and becoming the first Sri Lankan athlete to win a Diamond League event.
Former national record holder Sachith Maduranga described the achievement as a watershed moment that had broken a number of myths which had prevented Sri Lankan athletes from believing they could excel at the highest international level.
”He has taken the javelin to a totally new level,” Maduranga said in an interview with The Island from Australia.
Reflecting on Tharanga’s early days in the sport, Maduranga recalled the confidence and determination displayed by the athlete from a young age.
”In one of his first encounters with me, he said that he would definitely break my junior record,” Maduranga said.
The former Asian Championships medallist revealed that after Tharanga’s impressive performances as a junior athlete, he strongly encouraged him to seek overseas training opportunities. Maduranga said he, together with a former president of Sri Lanka Athletics, had urged Tharanga to follow a similar path to the one that helped him secure success at the continental level.
However, Tharanga remained committed to working under his long-time coach Tony Prasanna.
”But he insisted that he would continue to train with his coach Tony Prasanna. Now he has proven that the knowledge of his local coach was enough to beat the world. This is phenomenal,” Maduranga said.
Former national record holder Waruna Lakshan Dayaratne also praised Tharanga’s remarkable achievement, joining the growing chorus of admiration for a performance that has elevated Sri Lankan athletics to unprecedented heights.
Tharanga’s Rome triumph has not only rewritten the record books but has also provided compelling evidence that world-class success can be achieved through dedication, talent and high-quality coaching available within Sri Lanka. His achievement is expected to inspire a new generation of athletes to dream bigger and challenge the world’s elite on the global stage. (RF)
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St. Benedict’s College, Kotahena, will take on Ananda College, Colombo, in a much-anticipated quarter-final of the Under-19 Division I Tier ‘B’ Limited Overs Cricket Tournament at the Gajaba Stadium in Saliyapura, Anuradhapura, today.
St. Benedict’s, led by Dinath Senila, will enter the knockout encounter with confidence after securing their place as group champions in the first round. Their consistent performances have made them one of the teams to watch in the competition.
Ananda, captained by Nethula Edirmanna, qualified for the quarter-finals after finishing third best during the group stage. They will be looking to raise their game and produce a strong performance against their more highly placed opponents to keep their title hopes alive.
With a place in the semi-finals at stake, both teams will be eager to make the most of this knockout opportunity.
Dharmasoka encounter Christ King
Meanwhile, Dharmashoka College Ambalangoda are set to meet Christ King College Ja Ela in the semi finals of the Under 19 Division II Tier ‘A’ tournament at Maris Stella College Ground Thimbirigaskatuwa today.
Dharmasok led by Kaveesha Matheesh are in the semi finals after registering several crushing victories including 98 runs win over Royal College Panadura in the quarter final.
Their other big victories included 99 runs win over St. John’s Panadura and seven wickets win over St. John’s Jaffana. They were the leading team in their group in the first round.
Christ King College Ja Ela advanced to the quarter final as the runner up of their group in the first round. They are led by Heli Anjana. (RF)
St. Thomas’ College, Matara, booked their place in the semi-finals of the Under-19 Division I Tier B Limited Over Cricket Tournament with a four-wicket win over Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala as Firaz Ahamed and Thathsara Dewmith played key roles for them at the Uyanwatta Grounds in Matara on Monday.
Chasing a modest target of 138, the Thomians reached 140 for six with many overs to spare with Firaz Ahamed and Thathsara Dewmith scored the bulk of runs in the successful run chase.
Ahamed top-scored with a patient 58 off 83 balls, including five fours and a six, while Dewmith remained unbeaten on 40 off 60 deliveries, striking four boundaries.
Their contributions ensured that St. Thomas’ recovered from a few early setbacks to secure victory.
Earlier, batting first Maliyadeva were dismissed for 137 (in 41.2 overs).
The Thomians’ bowling attack was spearheaded by Punal Pamuditha, who claimed three wickets for 21 runs, while Dewmith also took three wickets for 17 runs. Vindila Chanuth supported them with an economical spell of one for nine.
Dushan Rajapaksha top-scored with 28 off 70 balls, while Thiwanka Dissanayake made 25 and Risith Wijesinghe contributed 18.
For Maliyadeva, Rahal De Silva and Risith Wijesinghe claimed two wickets each, but their efforts were not enough to prevent St. Thomas’ from advancing to the last four. (RF)
The Sri Lanka Tennis Association paid tribute to the late Mr. Suresh Subramaniam, former President and serving Vice President of the SLTA, who passed away on the 15 July In recognition of his outstanding contributions to Sri Lankan and Asian tennis, the Asian Tennis Federation presented a commemorative trophy honouring his dedicated service to the sport. This token of appreciation was presented to his wife, Ranjitha Subramaniam, by the Governor of the Western Province, Hanif Yusoof, in the presence of Iqbal Bin Isaac, President of the Sri Lanka Tennis Association and J. M. Wijebandara, Director General Legal of the Presidential Secretariat.
Mr. Subramaniam served as SLTA President from 2002 to 2007 and later became the first Sri Lankan to serve as Vice President of the Asian Tennis Federation. He also served as ATF Secretary General and contributed to tennis administration at the international level.
His remarkable contribution to tennis and sports administration will remain an enduring part of Sri Lanka’s sporting legacy
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