Sriyani Kulawansa – first Sri Lankan athlete to win a medal at Commonwealth Games

Sriyani Kulawansa

Sriyani Kulawansa was born on March 1, 1970 in Ragedera, Melsiripura in the Kurunegala District. She created history by becoming the first Sri Lankan athlete to win a medal at a Commonwealth Games while competing in the hurdles.

Sriyani had the honour of participating in three Olympic Games in 1992 (Barcelona), 1996 (Atlanta) and 2000 (Sydney). She had her early education at the Udakendawela Primary School and had her secondary education at Ibbagamuwa MV. She came into the limelight while participating in the Mahaweli Games and later came under the wings of National Athletic Coach Dervin Perera.

Sriyani initially competed in the high jump and was able to clear a height of 1.57m in 1989, 1.61m in 1990 and 1.70m at the 1991 National Championships. In 1991, she cleared a height of 1.75m and established a new national record which existed for 20 years. Thereafter, she switched to the 100m hurdles and was able to win the national title from 1991 to 1996.

Following are her achievements:

(South Asian Games):

1991 in Colombo, Sri Lanka – 100m Hurdles: 13.65s – Gold Medal High Jump: 1.75m – Gold Medal (New Games Record).

1993 in Dhaka, Bangladesh – 100m Hurdles: 13.78s – Gold Medal (New Games Record) 4X100m relay: Silver Medal.

1995 in Madras, India – 100m Hurdles: 13.35s – Gold Medal (New Games Record) 100m: Bronze Medal 4X100m Relay: Gold Medal.

1999 Kathmandu, Nepal – 100m Hurdles: 13.12 Gold Medal (New Games Record) 4X100m Relay: Silver Medal.

2004 in Islamabad, Pakistan – 100m Hurdles: 13.37s – Gold Medal 4X100m Relay – Gold Medal.

Asian Championships

1993 in Manila, Philippine – 100m Hurdles: 13.38s – Silver Medal.

1995 in Jakarta, Indonesia – 100m Hurdles: 13.25s – Gold Medal. 1998 in Fukuoka- Japan – 100m Hurdles: 13.16s – Gold Medal. 2002 in Manila, Philippine – 100m Hurdles: 13.43s – Silver Medal.

Asian Games

1994, Hiroshima, Japan – 100m Hurdles: 13.55s – 4th place. 1998 in Bangkok, Thailand – 100m Hurdles: 13.08s – Bronze Medal.

2002 Busan, South Korea – 100m Hurdles – Injured. Commonwealth Games 1998 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – 100m Hurdles: 12.94s – Silver Medal.

Sriyani recorded her best timing of 12.91s at the 1996, Atlanta Olympic Games heats and her best timing in the 100m hurdles was 11.71s. She had a best performance of 1.75m in the high jump event.

Following is a progress report of her 100m hurdles:

1990: 15.5s – National Championships. 1991: 13.99s – Asian Championships. 1992: 13.55s – Olympic Games. 1993: 13.37s – Asian Championships. 1994: 13.25s – Bob Hussein International Meet. 1995: 13.29s – Asian Championships. 1996: 12.91s – Olympic Games. 1997: 13.07s – World Championships. 1998: 12.94s – Commonwealth Games.

Apart from her athletic skills, Sriyani was equally good as a netball player and volleyball player as well.

She was attached to the Hatton National Bank and later she moved to the Education Ministry Sports Department as a Project Officer. She is currently the President of the Sri Lanka Olympians Association. (C.D)