12 Athletes to represent Sri Lanka in Asian Grand Prix

Athletics Association (AASL) will send 12 athletes to the forthcoming Asian Grand Prix series to be held in China and Chinese Taipei in April.The team will consist of seven male and five female athletes together with Badra Gunawardana and Pradeep Nishantha as Manager and Coach.

South Asian record holder of 100m, Himasha Eashan who is currently training in Jamaica will return for the three leg series as competition season in Jamaica only starts in mid June targeting IAAF World Championship. The Asian Grand Prix series will be a much looked forward to competition for SL athletes, which will be vital for their preparation for the forthcoming Asian Championship which is the prime target of local athletes this year.

The first leg of the championship will be held in Jiaxing, China on 24 April followed next in Jinhua, China on 27 April. The final leg will be held in Taipei City, Chinese Taipei on 30 April.

Sri Lanka team will comprise two female 800m runners in Nimali Liyanarachchi and Gayanthika Abeyrathne, where both of them eclipsed the Sri Lanka record last year in the event. The team will also feature two javelin throwers, Sumedha Ranasinghe and Waruna Dayarathne; both being trained under Pradeep Nishantha.

Ajith Premakumara has been rewarded for his sprint double at the Army meet last year where he clocked sub 47 seconds in the 400m, while High jumper Tharanga Vinodani who cleared height of 1.80m and Tharika Fernando, who renewed the Sri Lankan Shot Put record, too are included in the team.

Athletes 

Men : Himasha Eashan (100), Ajith Premakumara (400 M), Indunil Herath (800 M), Manjula Kumara Wijesekara (High Jump), Sanjaya Jayasinghe (Triple Jump), Sumedha Ranasinghe (Javelin), Waruna Lakshan Dayaratne (Javelin)

Women : Rumeshika Rathnayaka (100 M), Nimali Liyanarachchi (400M & 800 M), Gayanthika Abeyratne (800 M), Tharanga Vinodani, (High Jump), Tharika Fernando (Shot Put)

Official: Badra Gunawardana(Manager) , Pradeep Nishantha (Coach)