Two young athletes from Sri Lanka’s Kandy District will represent the country at the U20 World Athletics Championships in America, scheduled from August 5 to 9.

Saad Falil has qualified for the 100‑metre sprint, becoming the sole South Asian athlete to secure a place in the event. 

Meanwhile, Athib Rifai will compete in the 400‑metre hurdles.

Both athletes are currently undergoing their final training sessions ahead of the tournament. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Anti‑Doping Agency (SLADA) has announced an opportunity for young athletes and a coach to represent the nation at the 2026 Clean Sport Youth Camp in Busan, South Korea. 

According to SLADA, the fully funded, seven‑day residential programme will take place in August, offering international exposure, leadership development, and cultural exchange.

Four athletes and one coach will be selected to participate. Eligible athletes must be born between 2006 and 2008, able to communicate in English, and recognized as athletes under the World Anti‑Doping Code. 

The selected participants will receive round‑trip airfare, accommodation, meals, and local transport.

Applicants are required to submit a CV and a cover letter explaining their interest to info@slada.lk by June 22, 2026, before 5:00 pm Sri Lanka Time. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) athletes who won medals at the 6th Asian Beach Games in China were honoured with promotions and cash awards on Wednesday (06).

According to the SLAF, the athletes were honoured at a ceremony held at Air Force Headquarters under the patronage of Air Force Commander Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe.

The athletes, who brought international recognition to Sri Lanka through victories in wrestling, kabaddi, and long-jump, were promoted from the ranks of Airman and Leading Airman to Corporal. In addition to promotions, special cash prizes were awarded.

Air Force coaches who guided the athletes to success were also recognized and presented with cash awards.

The medal winners are as follows:

• Wrestling – Corporal Nipuni Wasana Dharmadasa – Gold Medal
• Kabaddi (Women) – Corporal Hansika Bandara – Silver Medal
• Kabaddi (Women) – Corporal Shanika Bandara – Silver Medal
• Kabaddi (Men) – Corporal Chaminda Samarakoon – Bronze Medal
• Long Jump (Women) – Corporal Shashikala Lankathilaka – Bronze Medal (Newswire)

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The Cabinet has approved a proposal to provide stable employment opportunities for national-level athletes in state, semi‑state, and established institutions. 

The initiative, presented by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, aims to retain athletes with exceptional skills in the national sports system and encourage them to achieve international victories.

The framework introduces a fair, merit‑based selection process to ensure long‑term job security for athletes. 

According to the government, Sri Lanka has produced many athletes with outstanding talent and international achievements, but the lack of permanent employment has forced some to retire prematurely, weakening the country’s competitiveness.

Currently, the number of permanent positions available for athletes in the tri‑forces and sports institutions remains limited. 

The new framework is designed to address this gap by securing livelihoods, preserving skills, and strengthening Sri Lanka’s presence in international sports. (Newswire)

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The Colombo Chief Magistrate, Asanga S. Bodaragama, today (17) issued an overseas travel ban on ten Sri Lankan athletes who reportedly failed to return to the country after participating in the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom.

According to the Special Investigation Unit for the Prevention of Sports-Related Offences, the absconding athletes caused a financial loss of nearly Rs. 50 million to the government. The Unit informed the court that steps are also being taken to issue red notices against the ten individuals.

Investigations are being carried out based on a complaint lodged by the Director General of Sports. Officials informed the court that the athletes had travelled to the UK to represent Sri Lanka at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, but did not take part in the events and failed to return to the country.

Charges have been filed under Sections 5 and 6 of the Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports Act No. 24 of 2019.

The travel ban was imposed on the following athletes: Asela de Silva, Chamila Dilani, S. Chathuranga, Y. Nicholas, Ashen Rashmika, S. Malintha, Sriyanthika Fernando, Sanjeewa Rajakaruna, and Jeevantha Vimukthi Kumara.

Chief Inspector Supun Widanage, Head of the Special Investigation Unit for the Prevention of Sports-Related Offences, told the court that 116 athletes represented Sri Lanka at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, along with 28 coaches, 11 officials, and 4 medical officers.

Among them, three wrestlers, two judokas, two boxers, and two volleyball players reportedly did not return to Sri Lanka after the competition, resulting in a substantial loss to the state.

After considering the submissions, the Magistrate ordered that a foreign travel ban be imposed on the ten suspects, while further investigations are ongoing. (Newswire)

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Two Sri Lankan female athletes who had lost their opportunity to compete in the 2025 Asian Youth Athletics Championships have expressed regret over the incident, claiming that the incident had made them want to give up on the sport.

Niduki Prarthana and Ayesha Sewwandi were set to compete in the women’s U-18 1500 metre event but had failed to report on time for the first call due to the fault of the accompanying officials. 

The blunder saw the two young athletes being disqualified from the event, which they had had a chance of securing gold and silver medals for Sri Lanka.

Upon their return to Sri Lanka, the athletes expressed frustration and sadness over the incident. 

“When we inquired from the Sri Lankan officials, they said the first call was at 6.20. But it was at 6.10. When we arrived at the location, they informed us we could not participate as we had not reported for the call. This is our first tour.  We got fed up and thought we did not need to do this sport,” they said, speaking to reporters. 

Despite these mishaps, Sri Lanka was able to win 01 gold medal, 03 silver medals, and 04 bronze medals in the 2025 Asian Youth Athletics Championships held in Saudi Arabia. (Newswire)

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Sri Lankan athletes Tharushi Karunarathna and Kalinga Hewa Kumarage have secured top spots in the 2024 Reunión Internacional Villa de Bilbao – World Athletics Continental Tour underway in Spain.

Participating in the 600M sprint event for women, Asian Games medallist Tharushi Karunarathna emerged second clocking a timing of 1:24.84.

With her performance, Tharushi Karunarathna set a new Asian record and erased the continental record of 600 metres held by Ayano Shiomi of Japan.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s Kalinga Hewa Kumarage was placed third in the men’s 400-metre event with a timing of 45.91.

The performances of both Sri Lankan athletes will boost their Olympic aspirations. (Newswire)

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