St.Peter’s Anchor Runner Dinusha Reprimand For Lack Of Discipline

Lack of discipline and sporting spirit among school athletes was highlighted once again when St Peter’s middle distance runner Dinusha de Silva received a warning during the All-Island Schools Relay Carnival at the Sugathadasa Stadium on Saturday.

A.Ratnayake Central Walala won both the Under-18 boys’ and girls’ 4×800 metres relays with new meet records and were also the winner of the Under-20 girls’ 4×800 metres. The boys from Walala were also leading the Under-20 boys’ 4×800 metres relay until the final 200 metres when Sooriyawewa athlete Dinusha Chamudika de Silva, who was recruited by St. Peter’s last year used his superior sprinting power to turn tables. The Petes returned a time of 7:58.62 seconds to establish a new record but de Silva’s unsportsmanlike gesture, which he made while overtaking the Walala runner, forced officials to take action.

The Petes relay quartet including Pawan Pasindu, Dilshan Nimantha and Hansika Madushan had later apologized.

Dinusha Chamudika de Silva was christened to Petes’ athletics in a dubious manner at last year’s All Island Schools Games. He was still representing Sooriyawewa National School when the school from Bambalapitiya got him to wear their colours at the All Island Schools Games.

Referee P.A. Jayathilaka promptly reprimanded the runner.

St Peter’s’ have been doing well in athletics over the past two years, after former St Benedict’s College coach I.D. Premasiri was recruited by them. Since then St Peter’s, who weren’t even close to an overall championship in recent times, won all major school athletics championships last year, especially with the large number of talented athletes from rural colleges who now school there and compete as Peterites.

(With input from  The Sunday Island)