The hopes of new national champion Ishan Wijethilaka and runner up Ajith Rathnayake of representing the country at the forthcoming South Asian Games are effectively over after Ajith Bandara and Upul Wijithakumara were selected to run the Games’ marathon in Bangladesh early next year.

South Asian Games gold medalist Bandara and Wijithakumara have been selected after a snap trial held for the Sri Lanka marathon poolists over the weekend.

SLAA sources said Bandara and Wijithakumara have clocked 1:48.47 and 1:50.20 minutes respectively at a 35 km run. While Ratnayake has been beaten to the third place at the trial, Wijethilaka, who is recovering after a surgery, has not taken part.

Sports ministry authorities termed the recently held national marathon of the National sports festival at Dehiattakandiya as the selection ground for SA Games prior to the event. It gave immense hopes for the winners of the marathon Ishan Wijethilaka and his runner up Ajith Ratnayake. SLAA sources said that a fresh trial had to be held to select the best contenders as there was a huge time difference between the National Marathon and the date of the South Asian Games.

Sources said although Wijethilaka had informed of his condition and was likely to recover before the SA Games, fielding him for the regional event would risk his future career.

Wijethilaka produced an impressive time of 2:23.03 minutes, his personal best, to win the national sports festival marathon at Dehiattakandiya. Former national champion and SA Games gold medalist Ajith Bandara did not take part in the National Marathon citing an injury but now has the chance to defend his gold medal after winning the trial.