The 38th All-Island Schools Sports Festival 2025 concluded in grand style at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium in Diyagama, marking a record-breaking year for school athletics in Sri Lanka. Around 15,000 students competed in various team sports, while nearly 5,000 athletes from 1,170 schools showcased their talents in track and field events.

Among the standout performers, K.L. Ayomal Akalanka of Ambagamuwa Central College was named the Most Outstanding Male Athlete after his remarkable 49.90-second finish in the Under-20 Men’s 400m Hurdles. Jithma Wijethunga from Lyceum International School, Wattala earned the title of Most Outstanding Female Athlete with an excellent timing of 54.09 seconds in the Under-20 Women’s 400m. Omel Sashintha of St. Sebastian’s College, Kandana took home the Best Junior Athlete award for his strong 46.17-second performance in the Under-20 Men’s 400m. In field events, H.U. Jayasinghe from St. Joseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa was recognized as the Best Throwing Event Athlete after achieving a 16.27m throw in the shot put, while Oshini Kodikara of St. Lawrence’s School, Colombo 06 impressed with a 6.03m long jump to win the Best Jumping Event Athlete title in the Under-20 Girls’ category.

Notably, Tharushee Abhisheka Premasiri of Vikramabahu National School, Gampola achieved a historic feat by setting new records in all three of her events, marking one of the most memorable performances of the tournament.

In the overall school championships, Maris Stella College, Negombo claimed the Boys’ Championship with 148 points, marking their third consecutive win, while Lyceum International School, Wattala secured the Girls’ Championship with 213 points, also achieving a three-year winning streak. St. Joseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa and A. Rathnayake Central College, Walala were named runners-up in the boys’ and girls’ categories respectively, while Maris Stella College, Thimbirigaskatuwa and Dharmapala College, Pannipitiya finished third.

The inter-provincial championship titles reflected the strength of regional athletic development, with Western Province taking the top position with 1,277 points, followed by Central Province with 414 points and North Western Province with 315.5 points.

The closing ceremony was held under the patronage of the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Sunil Kumara Gamage, alongside Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education, Dr. Madhura Senevirathne, Ministry Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewa, and other senior officials. The festival’s final day was particularly eventful, as nine new records were broken.

This year’s festival saw an impressive total of 38 new national school records being set, proving how the 2025 All-Island Schools Sports Festival not only celebrated exceptional athletic talent but also underscored the strength, dedication, and rising potential of Sri Lanka’s young sports generation.