Gampaha and Kandy districts have shared the overall championship at the 36th National Youth Sports Festival, securing 130 points each. Galle District finished third with 106 points.
The Gampaha and Kandy districts jointly clinched the championship title at the 36th National Youth Sports Festival, securing 130 points each. The Galle District secured third place with 106 points.
The festival, jointly organised 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.
Athletes established 21 new swimming records and nine new track and field records during the 36th National Youth Sports Festival.
New Track and Field Records
1. I.A.I. Minoli Fernando – High Jump (Women) – Gampaha District (1.75 m)
2. I.S.W. Arachchi – Triple Jump (Women) – Hambantota District (13.03 m)
3. G.A.A. Pansilu Giridara – 800 m – Gampaha District (1:52.63)
4. I.S.W. Arachchi – Long Jump (Women) – Hambantota District (6.14 m)
5. S.K.D. Kumar – 200 m – Kegalle District (21.49 seconds)
6. P.M.P.L. Kodikara – 400 m – Kurunegala District (46.44 seconds)
7. M.D. Chathuranga – 400 m Hurdles – Kegalle District (50.06 seconds)
8. U.D.Y.W. Kumara – Triple Jump – Gampaha District (16.15 m)
9. Men's 4 × 400 m Relay – Kegalle District (3:13.61)
- P.K.P. Pathirana
- M.D. Chathuranga
- S.K.D. Kumar
- Y.A.A.R. Jayawardena
Prize Money and Awards
The two districts sharing the overall championship title received trophies and Rs. 200,000 each, amounting to a total of Rs. 400,000. The district securing third place received Rs. 100,000.
In addition, the Best Male Athlete and Best Female Athlete each received a cash award of Rs. 1 million, bringing the total prize money awarded to the two outstanding athletes to Rs. 2 million.
A.W.G.J.S. Wijethunga of the Gampaha District was named the Best Female Athlete of the 36th National Youth Sports Festival for her outstanding performance in the women's 400 m event, clocking 54.30 seconds.
M.D. Chathuranga of the Kegalle District was named the Best Male Athlete after establishing a new record in the 400 m hurdles event with a performance of 50.06 seconds.
Grand Closing Ceremony
The closing ceremony of the festival was held in a grand manner under the patronage of Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa and Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs Dinindu Saman Hennayake, Members of Parliament Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi, Aruna Panagoda and Jagath Manuwarna, Homagama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Kasun Rathnayake, Chairman and Director General of the National Youth Services Council, Attorney-at-Law Supun Wijerathna, Chairman of the National Youth Corps Nalin Radampola, members of the Board of Directors of the National Youth Services Council, Secretary of the Sri Lanka Youth Clubs Federation Gihan Priyasad, officials, athletes and youth representatives from districts across the country.
The 36th National Youth Sports Festival once again provided a national platform for young sporting talent, celebrating excellence, unity and the spirit of sportsmanship among Sri Lanka's youth.
