Sri Lanka gears up for Asian Relay Meet

Action from a previous Men’s relay event 

By Susil Premalal

Sri Lanka Athletic (SLA) will field four teams for the inaugural Asian Men’s and Women’s Athletic Relay Championships 2024, which will be conducted by the Thailand Athletic Association under the supervision of Asian Athletic from on May 20 and 21 at the Thamasat University Sports Complex in Bangkok, Thailand.    
The selection trial to pick the Sri Lanka relay teams, conducted by the SLA will be held on April 10 at the Mahinda Rajapksa Sports Complex in Diyagama. 
36 athletes from the national athletic pool are set to participate in the selection trial.  
The inaugural Asian Men’s and Women’s Athletic Relay Championships are also a qualification event for the Paris Olympic Games 2024 with athletes from over 20 Asian countries vying for honours in the 4X100m (Men’s and Women’s) and 4X400m (Men’s and Women’s) events.
Meanwhile the IAAF World Athletic Relay Championships, which will be held from May 4 to 5 at the Thomas Robinson Stadium in Nassau Bahamas, will be the final qualifying event ahead of the Paris Olympic Games in July/August. 
The Sri Lanka 4X400m Men’s Relay Team will include Kalinga Kumarage, Aruna Dharshana, Rajitha Rajakaruna, Dinuka Deshan and Pasindu Kodikara.
The invited athletes for the trial: 
(100m Women): Amasha Silva (Army), Rumeshika Rathnayaka (Sri Lak AC), Medhani Jayamanna (Army), Shafiya Yamic (Army), Anurudhika Muthukumarana (Army), Lakshika Sugandi (Army), Shenella Senevirathne (Gateway), H. R. D. S. Ranasgalla (Army) and Dinara Bandara Dela (unattached). 
(100m Men): Chamod Yodasinghe (Army), Merone Wijesinghe (Ananda), Chanuka Dharmakeerthi (Army), R. P. K. M. Chathuranga (Army), Chalith Piumal (Army), D. P. H. Gamlath (Army), Deneth Senanayaka (Army), Ajith Premakumara (Army) and Dineth Induwara (Leeds International School).
(400m Women): Sayuri Mendis (Navy), Shanika Lakshani (Army), Takshima Nuhansa (Matara CC), Jithma Wijethunga (Lyceum, Wattala), W. H. M. Fernando (Navy), Nishendra Fernando (Air Force), Tharushi Karunarathna (Walala CC), Rumeshika Rathnayaka (Sri Lak AC) and Shafiya Yamic (Army).
(400m Men): Pasindu Kodikara (Army), Dinuka Deshan (Army), Pabasara Niku (Army), Rajitha Rajakaruna (Army), Harsha Karunarathna (Army), Ishan Maduranga (Army), Isuru Lakshan (Army), Isuru Abewardana (Army) and Jathya Kirulu (Mahinda College).