Friday Feb 20, 2026
Friday Feb 20, 2026
Wednesday, 4 February 2026 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Under her assured and disciplined leadership, Visakha Vidyalaya stamped its authority on the national rowing stage with a commanding performance at the 2026 Indoor National Rowing Championship, clinching the Overall Championship in the Junior Girls category and jointly securing the Senior Women’s Overall Championship alongside the highly experienced Sri Lanka Army contingent.
This triumph marks the third consecutive year that Visakha Vidyalaya has claimed the Overall Indoor Rowing Championship, a rare and remarkable achievement that underscores the program’s depth, consistency, and elite standards. Sustaining such excellence over multiple years is an exceptional feat in school rowing, placing Visakha among a select few institutions to have achieved this distinction.
As Captain, Anusara Akmeemana provided decisive leadership, strategic focus, and unwavering commitment, guiding her team to historic success. During her captaincy, Visakha dominated both the Junior Girls Overall Title and the Intermediate Women’s Overall Title at the 2025 Outdoor National Rowing Championship, followed by the emphatic victories at the 2026 Indoor National Championships. Visakha’s achievement of securing overall victories in both Indoor and Outdoor National Rowing Championships stands as a record-breaking milestone in Sri Lankan school rowing history.
The championship concluded with Visakha Vidyalaya recording an impressive medal haul of six gold, six silver, and one bronze, further cementing its reputation as a powerhouse in the sport. Several outstanding individual performances contributed to this success, most notably Sethini Ranawaka, who delivered a sensational display by winning four gold medals at just 13 years of age, demonstrating exceptional composure and maturity against older competitors. Imandi Mahawatte was another standout performer, securing three gold medals through dominant and technically refined performances marked by strength and consistency.
This sustained excellence is the result of dedicated coaching and structured preparation. Visakha Vidyalaya extends its sincere appreciation to Mr. Nirmal Gunarathne, Mr. Asitha Shiran, and Ms. Supuni Lakshani for their expert guidance, commitment, and unwavering belief in the athletes. Their mentorship has been instrumental not only in competitive success but also in developing discipline, resilience, and character.
The rowing crew also acknowledges the steadfast support of Visakha Vidyalaya, whose continued encouragement and investment in sports have created an environment where young athletes can excel at the highest national level. With yet another landmark achievement added to its legacy, and under the exemplary captaincy of Anusara Akmeemana, Visakha Vidyalaya continues to set the benchmark for excellence in Sri Lankan school rowing— inspiring future generations to strive for greatness.
