Sri Lankan Athletes Return Home After Winning 40 Medals at 2025 SAAF Senior Athletics Championship

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Sri Lankan athletics team, which won the runners-up title at the 2025 SAAF Senior Athletics Championship, returned to the island early this morning.

Minister of Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage, along with several officials, was present at the Bandaranaike International Airport to welcome the team.

The 4th SAAF Senior Athletics Championship was held in Ranchi, India, with the participation of around 300 athletes representing Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives.

Sri Lanka secured a total of 40 medals — 16 gold, 14 silver, and 10 bronze — to claim the runners-up position.

Rumesh Tharanga was named the Best Athlete of the tournament, while Shafiya Yamick shone with three gold medals, triumphing in the women’s 100m, 200m, and 100m relay events.