It is learnt that these local coaches who also guide national and school level athletes, have grown jealous at the large sums of money being paid to these foreign coaches. Athletes who were being trained under these local coaches have also been decreasing in numbers while it was the other way around with the foreign coaches. Sri Lanka Athletics (SLA) and some Ministry officials who understood the situation had resolved the matter on numerous occasions earlier. But the newest plot this year is that the local coaches allegedly came up with bogus reports to show the failures of the foreign coaches and succeeded in their campaign to oust them. Currently, the Sri Lanka long jump record holder is Amila Jayasiri (8.15m) and the top ranked jumper is Janaka Prasad Wimalasiri (PB 8.14m).

Source: Sunday Observer November 20, 2021 20:26 UTC