Upcoming high-jump athlete Ushan Thivanka Perera’s record of 2.28m at the Texas Relays Championship held in the United States, which incidentally broke the existing Sri Lankan record, is a huge achievement, said Athletics Association of Sri Lanka (AASL) President, Major General Palitha Fernando.

Manjula Kumara Wijesekera’s 17-year-old record of 2.27 m was broken by the old boy of Maris Stella College, Negombo, who is currently following his higher studies at the States.

“Ushan Thivanka is studying while also training at the United States. He notified the AASL prior to taking part in the championship, so there is no issue with the record that he established. His record stands,” Fernando said.

“There is hope that he could win us medals at the upcoming Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games,” he added.