Maris Stella, Walala A. Rathnayaka Central emerge All-Island Schools Athletic Meet champions

By Shamseer Jaleel 

reporting from Kandy

Maris Stella, Negombo and Walala A. Rathnayaka Central, Ratnapura won the boys’ and girls’ overall championships at the 32nd All-Island Schools Athletic Meet, which concluded at the Bogambara Stadium in Kandy recently.

The five-day event saw 14 new meet records being set. Ridma Nishadi of Dharmasoka, Ambalangoda, who broke a 20-year-old girls’ and Under 19 long jump record, was judged the Most Outstanding Athlete at the event.

Boy's Champions Maris Stella, Negombo

Girl's Champions Walala A. Rathnayake Central

Chamal Kumara of D.S. Senanayake, Meerigama too stamped his class by setting a new meet record in the boys’ Under-19 triple jump event. He and girls’ Under-19 triple jump champion Hashini Probodha of Holy Family Convent, Wennappuwa were picked as the Best Athletes of the all-island meet.

Maris Stella accumulated 100 points to emerge overall champs while St. Benedict’s College with 87 points finished second and St. Mary’s College, Chilaw with 46 points ended up third. 

In the girls’ segment, Walala A. Ratnayaka College collected 150 points to become champions while Sumana BV, Ratnapura with 64 points secured second place and Ambagamuwa MV secured the overall third slot with 58 points.