Namal Pathirage reporting from Beliatta

Western Province emerged champions at the 34th National Sports Festival concluded at the D.M. Rajapaksa Stadium in Beliatta yesterday with a rich haul of 72 gold, 44 silver and 39 bronze medals. Central Province was in second slot with 43 gold, 38 silver and 45 bronze medals. North Western Province took up third position with 27 gold, 40 silver and 36 bronze medals. Uva were in fourth position with 13 gold, five silver and 18 bronze medals.

Nadeeka Muthunayake set up a Sri Lanka record at the Rs. 30 million National Sports Festival with a time of 14.88 which also saw five meet records being bettered. However the weather was also not favourable for athletics as the competition was constantly interrupted by intermittent showers. Prime Minister Mr. Ratnasiri Wickremanayake was the chief guest on the final day of the meet yesterday.

Nayana Prasad Dharmaratne, who cleared 7.46 metres in the high jump event was selected as the best male athlete while the best woman athlete’s title went to N.C. D. Priyadarshani who cleared 6.30 metres in the long jump event.

Meanwhile South Asian Games 100 metres medal winner Premila Priyadarshani was beaten to second place by N.C.D. Priyadarshani..