Navy athlete Gayanthika Abeyrathne sets new Sri Lanka record at Commonwealth Games 2022

Sri Lanka Navy Women Petty Officer, Gayanthika Abeyrathne set a new Sri Lanka record in women's 800m at the Commonwealth Games 2022 held in Birmingham, England on 02nd August 2022.

The ace Navy athlete shattered the previous national record (02 minutes and 01.44 seconds) set by herself at the Centenary National Athletics Championship – 2022. Accordingly, she locked a time of 02 minutes and 01.20 seconds setting the new Sri Lanka record in Women’s 800m heat at the Commonwealth Games 2022 on 02nd August.

Besides, Women Petty Officer Gayanthika Abeyrathne currently holds the Sri Lanka records for 800m, 1500m and 5000m.

The women athlete has brought much credit to the Navy as well as the motherland throughout her athletic career. She has won silver medals in the women’s 800m and 1500m at the South Asian Games - 2016 in India, a gold medal in the women's 800m at the 2017 Taipei City Asian Grand Prix in Taipei, a gold medal in the women's 800m at the Asian Indoor Games held in Turkmenistan in 2017, a silver medal in the women's 800m at the Asian Games -2017 in Indonesia, a gold medal in 400m X 4 women’s relay and a silver medal in the women's 800m at the South Asian Games - 2019 held in Nepal as well as a bronze medal in the women's 800m at the Asian Games -2019 in Indonesia. She is coached by Mr. GL Sajith Jayalal, Director, National Institute of Sports Science.

Women Petty Officer Gayanthika Abeyrathne, who has won many national and international sports titles, set new Sri Lanka records in 1500m and 5000m at the National Athletics Championship in 2021, bringing a lot of credit to the Navy. In recognition of her sporting talents, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne promoted the athlete from the rate of Leading Women Sailor to Women Petty Officer on 02nd November 2021.

Fittingly, she has also won the trophy for Best Athlete (Women) at the Navy Colour Awarding Ceremony held in 2021.