The all-island Schools Aquatic championships that was organized by the Sri Lanka Schools’ Aquatic Sports Association kicked off on the 19th of June 2012 at Sugathadhasa Stadium
The grand opening was headed by the Director of Sports at the Ministry of education Mr. A.B. Abeyrathne followed by Mr. Bandula Egodage the assistant Vice president of Corporate Affairs. This led the start for over 1841 Athletes from 139 schools to exercise their talents in aquatic sports. At the start, the morning session was dedicated for the juniors. Competing within the age categories of Under 9 to Under 13 the beginning comprised of Butterfly Junior, Backstroke Junior and Freestyle Junior.
The real approach to the championships began as the seniors hopped into the pool. Though 21 events had already taken place the cheers were rising-up to the winners of the first senior event; Vinoli Siriwardena(Mahamaya College Kandy), Juvura Manaperi (Colombo International School)and Nimashi Desilva(Ladies College), Girls’ Under 15 200m Backstroke rounds.
Succeeding were the events Boy’s Under 15 200m Backstroke, Girls’ Under 17 Backstroke in which Dineth Jakaody, Sithari Perera and Chandula Ferando(Royal College) were respective winners. Taking everyone by surprise the Athletes of the follow-up events were all record breakers. Starting the legacy Ishani Erandika Senanayake of Sirimavo Bandaranayake Balika Vidyala renewed the girls Under 17 200m backstroke record while Shehan Kaushalya of Royal College updated the boys Under 19 200m backstroke record. Kimiko Raheem(Asian Internaitonal Shool) and Vinoli Siriwardane(Mahamaya College Kandy) were both able to surpass the Girls’ Under 15 50m Butterfly record by finishing the event in less than 32.01 seconds.
Next outstanding performances, were confined to the latter part of the day: Boys’ Under 15 50m Butterfly Stroke record by K. Imeash Chathuranga (D.S. Senanayake College, Colombo), Boys’ Under 17 50m Butterfly Stroke record by K.T. Cherantha De Silva (Anandha College), Girls’ Under 17 50m Freestyle dual records by Amandha Jayasekara (Muesaeus College) and Machiko Raheem (Asian International School) and Boys’ Under 17 50m Freestyle record by K.T. Chethana De Silva(Anandha College).
The last events for the day were Boys’ and Girls’ Under 19 Breaststroke and Under 17 Breast Stroke events. However the only notable performance within these was by T. Edussuriya of Trinity College Kandy who renewed his own record of 2:38.42 by more than a three second gap.
