Akalanka dazzled on the final day as he produced the fastest men’s 400m hurdles time by a Sri Lankan in the last 23 years, shattering the Sri Lanka junior record with a time of 49.90 seconds, which sealed him the title.
Akalanka, hailing from Ambagamuwa Central College, is now the third-fastest man in the event in Sri Lankan history, with Sri Lanka record holder Harjan Rathnayaka (49.44) and Ashoka Jayasundara (49.78) being the other two. Akalanka is also the only Sri Lankan junior to dip under 50 seconds in the event. He is trained by coach Anura Bandara, the same coach who trained current Deputy Sports Minister Sugath Thilakarathne. Akalanka also possesses an impressive 400m personal best of 46.29 seconds.
