Frustrated pole vault national record holder Sachini leaves Sri Lanka 

by Reemus Fernando   

Pole vault national record holder Sachini Kaushalya Perera is the latest track and field athlete to leave the sport and the country seeking greener pastures abroad.

A former gymnast, Perera improved the national record several times under the guidance of former champion Sanath Gunaratne. Her record breaking spree made pole vault one of the looked forward to disciplines in the women’s category at track and field events during the last couple of years.

The Sri Lanka Army athlete improved her own national record last at the Centenary National Championships held in April at Diyagama.

According to Gunaratne, Perera was disappointed when her impressive performances failed to gain due recognition and was frustrated to the point of giving up the sport. However, Gunaratne remained unaware of her intentions to leave the country.

“I did not know that she was leaving the country. I am really disappointed. I knew that she was bitterly frustrated after her requests for a competition abroad did not materialize,” Gunaratne said in an interview with The Island.

Sri Lanka Athletics recently sent several athletes for competitions in India and Europe. Perera had inquired about the possibilities of competing in India but her request had not materialized.

While Perera is one of the top athletes to leave the country, a number of junior athletes, who showed promise, including athletes who shattered all island schools records at the 2019 edition, have left the country seeking job opportunities in the Middle East and elsewhere.

Perera first took the pole vault national record (3.56m) under her belt in December 2020 and improved it twice in 2021 before finally raising it to 3.71 metres at the Centenary National Championship.