Gampaha and Kandy districts were declared joint champions of the 36th National Youth Sports Festival after both districts finished with 130 points.
Galle District secured third place with 106 points.
The three-day event, organised jointly by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the National Youth Services Council and the Sri Lanka Youth Clubs Federation, was held from October 30 to November 1 at the Diyagama Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium.
The festival witnessed an impressive display of athletic talent, with athletes establishing 21 new swimming records and nine new competition records.
New competition records
The following athletes established new records in their respective events:
- I.A.I. Minoli Fernando – Women’s High Jump (Gampaha) – 1.75m
- I.S.W. Arachchi – Women’s Triple Jump (Hambantota) – 13.03m
- G.A.A. Pansilu Giridara – Men’s 800m (Gampaha) – 1:52.63
- I.S.W. Arachchi – Women’s Long Jump (Hambantota) – 6.14m
- S.K.D. Kumar – Men’s 200m (Kegalle) – 21.49 seconds
- P.M.P.A.L. Kodikara – Men’s 400m (Kurunegala) – 46.44 seconds
- M.D. Chathuranga – Men’s 400m Hurdles (Kegalle) – 50.06 seconds
- U.D.Y.W. Kumara – Men’s Triple Jump (Gampaha) – 16.15m
- Men’s 4x400m Relay – Kegalle District – 3:13.61
The Kegalle relay team consisted of P.K.P. Pathirana, M.D. Chathuranga, S.K.D. Kumar and Y.A.A.R. Jayawardena.
Outstanding athletes and prize money
Gampaha District’s A.W.G.J.S. Wijethunga was named the Most Outstanding Female Athlete after clocking 54.30 seconds in the women’s 400m event.
Kegalle District’s M.D. Chathuranga claimed the Most Outstanding Male Athlete award after setting a new competition record in the men’s 400m hurdles with a time of 50.06 seconds.
The two joint champion districts received championship trophies and Rs. 200,000 each, bringing their combined prize money to Rs. 400,000. Galle District received Rs. 100,000 for finishing third.
Meanwhile, the two outstanding athletes were each awarded Rs. 1 million, taking the total prize money for the individual awards to Rs. 2 million.
The closing ceremony was held under the patronage of Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa and Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage.
Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs Dinindu Saman Hennayake, Members of Parliament Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi, Aruna Panagoda, and Jagath Manuwarna, Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Kasun Ratnayake, and National Youth Services Council Chairman and Director General Attorney-at-Law Supun Wijerathna were among the distinguished guests.
Several other officials, representatives of the National Youth Corps, members of the Sri Lanka Youth Clubs Federation, and young athletes from across the country also attended the ceremony.
