DFCC Bank’s Athletics Team delivered a strong performance at the 41st Annual Mercantile Athletics Championships 2026, securing 15 medals comprising five gold, two silver and eight bronze across a range of track and field events.
Held from 21 to 23 August 2026 at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium, the three-day championship brought together nearly 1,800 athletes representing 46 companies from Sri Lanka’s mercantile sector.
The event provided a competitive platform for athletes to showcase their sporting talent, determination and commitment.
Among DFCC Bank’s standout performers was Chanidu Senash, who secured two gold medals in the Novices Men’s category, winning the 110m Hurdles and Triple Jump.
He also finished fifth in the Long Jump.
Ruwan Madushanka added two gold medals to DFCC Bank’s tally in the Men’s 35+ category, claiming first place in the 400m and 1,500m Race Walk. He also secured a bronze medal in the 400m Hurdles.
Sahan Rodrigo contributed another gold medal after winning the Men’s 40+ High Jump, while also securing bronze in Shot Put. In the Women’s 30+ category, Kalpani Wasalage won two silver medals in Discus Throw and Javelin Throw, in addition to finishing fourth in Shot Put.
DFCC Bank athletes also recorded several bronze-medal finishes. Geemali Athukorala secured bronze medals in both Javelin Throw and Shot Put in the Women’s 30+ category, while Nirasha Madakumbura won bronze in Hammer Throw and Shot Put in the Novices Women’s category.
Zamri Hayauddin earned bronze in the Men’s 30+ Triple Jump, while Dumith Samarathunga secured bronze in the Men’s 30+ Javelin Throw.
Beyond the medal-winning performances, several other members of Team DFCC achieved strong placements across individual and relay events.
The team competed across sprinting, jumping, throwing, race walking and relay disciplines, highlighting the depth of talent and competitive spirit among DFCC Bank employees.
The performance at the 41st Annual Mercantile Athletics Championships reflects DFCC Bank’s commitment to encouraging employees to pursue excellence beyond the workplace while supporting an active, healthy and well-rounded lifestyle.
The achievements also highlight the value of teamwork, discipline and perseverance — qualities that continue to strengthen Team DFCC both on and off the field.
Sri Lanka Reaches IMF Staff-Level Agreement on Seventh Review
Sri Lanka has reached a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the seventh review of its Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme, paving the way for a potential disbursement of around US$345 million upon approval by the IMF Executive Board.
The agreement follows earlier remarks by Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Governor Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe that the agreement was expected to be reached “very soon”, with substantial work required from the Government already completed.
Speaking at the CBSL headquarters, Dr. Weerasinghe had said delays in reaching the agreement were largely due to technical and analytical work relating to certain aspects of the programme.
“I would expect the staff-level agreement to be reached very soon. It won’t take much longer,” he said at the time.
The Governor also said Sri Lanka was expected to receive the relevant IMF disbursement before the end of the year, subject to completion of the programme requirements.
Under the agreement reached on October 5, the proposed US$345 million disbursement remains subject to IMF Executive Board approval. The approval is contingent on the presentation of the Government’s 2027 Budget to Parliament in line with programme parameters and completion of a financing assurances review covering multilateral financing commitments and progress on debt restructuring.
Asked earlier whether Sri Lanka would require another IMF programme after the current EFF arrangement expires in March 2027, Dr. Weerasinghe said the decision would rest with the Government.
“I think the decision is with the authorities, the Government. The Government will make that decision at the appropriate time,” he said, adding that it was not a decision for the Central Bank to make.
On inflation and the Central Bank’s monetary policy response, Dr. Weerasinghe said the CBSL had already taken proactive measures, including a 100-basis-point monetary policy tightening in May.
He said the impact of the tightening was being transmitted through the economy, including through slower economic growth and other adjustments.
According to the Governor, the recent increase in headline inflation was driven mainly by exceptionally high energy prices linked to global developments, rather than by demand-side pressures within Sri Lanka.
He noted that several countries were also experiencing inflation above their respective targets amid global energy and economic pressures.
Dr. Weerasinghe said the CBSL would continue to closely monitor developments and would take further action if necessary to contain demand-side inflationary pressures.
DFCC Bank Athletes Shine at 41st Annual Mercantile Athletics Championships 2026
