National athletes severely affected by floods
Extreme weather conditions prevailing in the country has affected many athletes, including National Champions, as most of their houses have been damaged and belongings, including sports equipment, washed away by the flood waters, especially in the Ratnapura area.
National Marathon Champion, Manjula Kumarasinghe, middle distance champion Chinthaka Somawardana and SAG bronze medallist distance runner Anusha Lamahewa, are amongst those who have been affected in Ratnapura.
Manjula and Anusha were at Embilipitiya to participate in the National Sports Festival marathon on the day water levels rose and returned home with difficulty, only to find that all of their belongings had been washed away by the flood and part of their accommodation damaged and under water.
According to coach Jayantha Siyamudali, both these athletes are now only left with whatever they took with them to Embilipitiya, as all of their running shoes, kits etc. have been washed away. Even Siyamudali’s house has been affected due to the flood.
Most athletes, including those who live in affected areas, are unable to continue with their training since the onset of the floods and Siyamudali said that most of them won’t be able to compete at the National trials for the Asian Championship on 1st and 2nd June at Diyagama.
Athletes living down South too have been affected, but due to the prevailing power failure during the last few days it has been difficult to contact them to get details. Asian Championship medalist Nimali Liyanarachchi and other top athletes in Sooriyawewa area too are concerned about the upcoming trials as it would be difficult for them to reach Colombo due to floods in Matara.
