By Susil Premalal

Ritzbury, the leading chocolate brand of Ceylon Biscuits Limited, has stepped forward once again to sponsor the Sir John Tarbet Senior & Junior Athletic Championships organised by the Sri Lanka Schools Athletic Association (SLSAA). The 84th Senior championship will be held from 13th to 15th of October at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium in Diyagama. The 45th Junior championship will take place from 2nd to 5th November at the Mahaweli Grounds in Embilipitiya.
“Sponsoring the oldest school athletics championships for the third consecutive year has once again given us the opportunity to support young athletes throughout the country” said Theja Peiris, General Manager CBL. “Ritzbury is glad to be associated with such a prestigious event and we hope to continue this successful partnership with the Sri Lanka Schools Athletics Association and other sporting bodies in the country”.
A total of 3500 (1150 girls and 2350 boys) athletes, representing 410 schools, are expected to participate in the Senior championship and 5000 athletes in the Junior championship.
The senior championship will consist of three age groups U-16, U-18 and U-20 where they will compete in 100 events including 12 relay finals.  
The national 100m champion Himesha Eshan from Kalutara Vidyalaya and Vidusha Lakshani of Newstead College, Negombo will light the Olympic lamp.
Speaking at the press conference, Nevile Rodrigo, Secretary of Sri Lanka Schools Athletics Association said that the sport has hit the lowest ebb in recent years due to administrative bungling.