Sri Lanka will look to make a strong start at the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain as the track and field events get underway today, with Asian Youth Championship medalist Lahiru Achintha and the country’s relay squads tipped as leading medal prospects.
Achintha, a standout middle-distance runner from St. Aloysius’ College, Ratnapura, boasts a personal best of 3 minutes 53.05 seconds in the 1500m. According to World Athletics–recognized performances for 2025, he ranks as the fastest in Asia for his age group—excluding Japanese athletes—among those born in 2009.
The promising youngster has been selected to compete in both the 1500m and 3000m events, aiming to add to his continental success.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s girls’ and boys’ medley relay teams are also considered strong contenders for podium finishes, with several sprinters showing impressive form during recent national meets.
A total of 21 athletes—13 boys and eight girls—will represent Sri Lanka in the track and field events at the Games, as the island nation seeks to make its mark on the Asian youth athletics stage
The athletes, their schools and events they aking part are as follows.
Boys:
Shanuka Costa (400m, Medley Relay – Gateway College, Colombo)
Nathan Willaddara (800m – Rahula College, Matara)
Lahiru Achintha (1500m, 3000m – St. Aloysius’ College, Rathnapura)
Kisal Gagandara (110m Hurdles – Kularatne MV, Godakawela)
Methuka Malhiru (400m Hurdles – Ananda Sastralaya, Kotte)
Chirantha Deshan (2000m Steeplechase – Ginigathhena MV)
Rusith Nimsara (Long Jump – St. Servatius’ College, Matara)
Savindu Sudharaka (Triple Jump – Kahawatta MV)
Chathura Jayathissa (Javelin Throw – Weera Parakrama MV Yatawaththa)
Vishal Fernando (Medley Relay – St. Joseph Vaz’s College Wennappuwa)
Bigumina Senavirathne (Medley Relay- Ananda Sastralaya, Matugama)
Loshana de Silva (Medley Relay- Holy Cross College, Kalutara)
Chamindu Sathsara (Medley Relay- Dudley Senanayake College, Tholangamuwa)
Girls:
Tharani Nirmina (100m, 200m, Medley Relay – Holy Cross College, Gampaha)
Chenadi Dewhara (400m, Medley Relay – Gamini NS, Bentota)
Nethmi Gimhani (800m, 1500m – St. Andrew’s College, Puttlam)
Chamalsha Dewmini (100m Hurdles – Welimada Central)
Amaya Peduru Hewa (400m Hurdles – Devapathiraja College Rathgama)
Dilni Rajapaksha (Long Jump, Triple Jump – Lyceum Inyernational Wattala)
Kaushalya Jayawardhana (Medley Relay – Lyceum Inyernational Wattala)
Movindi Wansanayaka (Medley Relay – Maliyadewa Balika)
