Ratnapala set to become first athlete from Vedda community to represent Sri Lanka

Ratnapala wins National Sports Festival Marathon on debut

by Reemus Fernando

The national marathon witnessed its fastest time in nearly five years in the men’s category when the event was held at Gampaha on Saturday. Thala Warige Ratnapala, who fell off the radar a couple of years after Sri Lanka Air Force recruited him in 2010, emerged victorious at the national event as he became the first athlete from the Vedda community to clinch the national marathon title.

“I would like to thank the Air Force and my coach Sajith Jayalal for all the support they have given me to reach where I am today,” Ratnapala said in an interview with The Island after the newly crowned champion met Vedda chieftain at his residence on Monday.

“The chieftain is happy that I could win it for the Vedda community. This is also the first time an athlete is winning it for the Eastern Province. The chieftain is happy for my achievement,” said Ratnapala.

Competing in his first-ever marathon, Ratnapala clocked two hours, 25 minutes, and 49 seconds to win the title ahead of his training partners, namely the former champion Dhammika Anurasiri and Sisira Kumara.

Ratnapala first competed as a track athlete when he was recruited by Sri Lanka Air Force for his impressive performances at the junior level. He was briefly with Sajith Jayalal before disappearing from the national scene.

“I was reintroduced to Sajith Sir in 2020. That was the turning point. I could have achieved much more had I concentrated on the marathon and trained under his supervision,” said Ratnapala, who is eager to achieve success beyond the national level.

“I had the ability. The other thing was the opportunity I got to train with the best in the country. Those stood me in good stead. Training with athletes who were faster than me under the guidance of Sajith Sir was the reason behind my success,” said Ratnapala who turned 30 in July.

With the success he has achieved at the national event, Ratnapala will also be eligible to represent the country at one of the two forthcoming international marathons.

The National Marathon was considered a selection ground to pick teams for the Dhaka International Marathon and the Hong Kong marathon.

Sri Lanka Athletics selectors will pick separate teams for the two international marathons from the winners of the last weekend’s marathon.

Ratnapala who returned home to Hennanigala to take a well-deserved rest said that he would recommence training again in a couple of days with the international marathons in mind.