SL Junior Athletes eye medals at World Meet

By Susil Premalal   
The 12-member Sri Lankan contingent is confident of putting up a good performance at the IAAF World Junior Under-20 Athletic Championships, which begins in Lima, Peru today.   
Over 897 athletes from 134 countries will be vying for honours at this meet, which will conclude on August 31.   
The 12-member Sri Lanka Junior Athletic Squad will include 10 Boys’, two Girls’ and three officials.   
Talented athlete Meron Wijesingha of Ananda College, Colombo will lead the Sri Lankan contingent.   
In the history of the World Junior Athletic Championships, Sri Lanka have never won a medal but this time they are hoping for an improved performance.   
The Sports Ministry has allocated a sum of nearly Rs. 30m for the Sri Lanka Junior Athletic Team to participate in this meet.   
The Sri Lanka Junior Athletic Squad: Meron Wijesinghe (Captain - 100m and 4x400m - Ananda College, Colombo), Lesandu Arthavidu (high jump - Ananda College, Colombo), Jathya Kirulu (400m - Mahinda College), Sandun Kosala (110m hurdles – Lyceum, Wattala), Tharusha Mendis (high jump – Lyceum, Wattala), Ayomal Akalanka (400m hurdles - Ambagamuwa MMV), Vidusara Indushan (200m and 4X100m - Ananda College, Colombo), Kaushal Thamel (200m and 4X100m - De Mazenod College), Dineth Weeraratne (100m and 4X100m – Leads, Matara), Ayesh Mihiranga (4X100m - Mahinda College), Madushani Herath (long jump - Nannapurawa MV) and Jithma Wijethunga (400m Lyceum, Wattala).