Exactly a week ago last Thursday (31), the University of Moratuwa Crew rowed their hearts out at the Beira in one of the most fiercely fought competitions which saw a dramatic ending too, giving everyone present at the Colombo Rowing Club their money’s worth even under tremendously rainy conditions. Mora’s win this time around puts an end to Colombo’s dominance throughout past Sri Lanka University Games (SLUG) championships. For the first time in history, the competition saw the entrance of two debutants, the University of Ruhuna and the Sabaragamuwa University, competing alongside well-seasoned Colombo and Moratuwa crews.
Dubbed as “Redeem Crew”, both Men’s and Women’s crews of Mora clinched the Championship in their respective categories.
They clinched the Men’s A4 race led by skipper Dumindu Perera, while Colombo won the Women’s A4, the most crucial and anticipated race. However, Mora lasses had complete dominance throughout the tourney. The Men’s C4 (exhibition race) had a photo finish with UoC snatching it by a second against Mora.
Women’s B pair (4.36.42)
Kasuni Wijeratne (s)
Subhavi Laknara Perera (b)
Women’s A pair (4.30)
Pabodini Sinharage (s) - Captain
Charuni Gunasinghe (b)
Men’s B pair (3.43)
Dumindu Perera (s)
Pamuditha Lakshan (b)
Men’s A pair (3.39)
Chamith Dharmarathna (s)
Naveen Hettiarachchi (b)
Women’s B4 (4.17)
Pabodini Sinharage (cox)
Nevanya Semage (s)
Nilasi Balasuriya (3)
Rashini Dias (2)
Kalpani Kavindya (b)
Men’s B4 (3.31)
Yasith Perera (cox)
Adheeb Thowfeek (s)
Pamuditha Lakshan (3)
Nidula Senaratne (2)
Budhwin Anuk (b)
The University of Moratuwa clinched victories in all the races mentioned below:
Women’s Champions – University of Moratuwa
Runners-up – University of Colombo
2nd runners-up – University of Ruhuna
Men’s Champions – University of Moratuwa
Runners-up – University of Colombo
2nd runners-up – Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka
Below are the races won by Colombo:
Mora Men’s A4 (3 min 32 secs)
Adheeb Thowfeek (cox)
Dumindu Perera (s) - Captain
Naveen Hettiarachchi (3)
Chamith Dharmarathna (2)
Dinuwan Nishshanka (b)
UoC Women’s A4 (4 min 09 secs)
Bihara Ganegoda (s)
Gabeshiny Sridaran (3)
Serah Wijenayake (2)
Oshini Pilapitiya (B)
Gethmi Adikari (cox) - Captain
Women's
B Scull – Ganeshiny Sridaran
A Scull – Serah Wijenayake
Men's
B Scull – Pubudu Sandaruwan - Captain
A Scull – Avishka Medawatte
Men’s C4
Chethiya Wanigarathne (s)
Chathura Lakshan (3)
Mihiranga Sathsara (2)
Ravindu Weliwita (b)
Navindu Nanayakkara (cox)
The Eastern University of Sri Lanka organised this year’s SLUG, which saw the participation of over 6,000 athletes representing 16 State Universities in 24 sporting principles including 40 events. This year’s edition began on 8 July, and is set to end tomorrow (8) after two months of action-packed events. “Stand up, Learn, and Unite for Glory” is this year's SLUG motto.
The University of Colombo (UoC) are the overall defending champions of SLUG; since its inception in 1980, UoC with a complete dominance, has won a record seven titles, the University of Peradeniya four titles, with the Universities of Moratuwa (2013) and Sri Jayewardenepura (2016) winning once each.