Bangkok, Dec. 09 - Sri Lankan athletic medal chances suddenly went in to question when, World Championship Silver Medallist, Susanthika Jayasinghe announced that she is down with flu on Tuesday night from the games village.

The sprint specialist said that she had body pains on Monday morning and skipped two days of practices . " But don't worry if this fever is something really serious I will keep my promise of the two Gold Medals, " said.

None of the Sri Lankan team members as usual were available for comments even despite the face that journalists making a visit and trying to make contact.

The only Sri Lankan official to meet the reporters was former NOC Secretary Prema Pinnawela who took the Media to the Village.

The pain and agony faced by the shooters continued for yet another when they once again put up a pathetic performance opting out of the second round. It was also very surprising to note the fact that the newcomer Pusella did better than the experienced and Internationally known Mali Wicremasinghe who finished 34th scoring 572. Ramanayake was joint 30th.

The shooters who predicted Gold medals at the last 1998 Commonwealth Games in Malaysia returned empty handed. It must be put down that the World Champions Korea along with non-Commonwealth country like Kasakastan and China did not compete in the Commonwealth.

The Coach Daya Rajasinghe too was in a highly disappointed frame of mind showing the cold shoulder to the journalists. "I am in a bad mood and I have nothing to say. If I say something the shooters might not compete again," he said.

It has to be questioned and found out why the shooters are failing again and again despite being given enough of foreign exposure. The point that is in the side of the shooters is the fact that they are shooting with aging equipment since all their requests have fallen on deaf ears. Despite this display the trio has qualified for the Sydney Olympics.

Same route
The Lankan swimmers Taekwondos too failed.

A Bhutan player ousted Lankan Taekwondo player Chaminda Punchihewa yesterday.

Radeesha Daluwatte swimming in the 100M Breast Stroke event was placed in the overall first round ranking in the 15th place of 16. Gihan Ranatunga was ranked 25 out of 29 in the 100MM Free Style event timing 57.87 seconds.

Sri Lanka's six year reigning Squash Champion Gihan Fernando too was sunk easily by Hong Kong's Chum Kit 9/0 9/3 and 9/0.

Only Sri Lankan to put up some resistance was Squash player Saman Tilakaratne who is now based in France. Up against Malaysia's number two, Beng Hee Ong, Saman who is Lanka's only World ranked player and he gave the Malaysian a very tough time before going 9/6 9/3 and 9/6. Saman's fighting skills were of very high standards and it has to be put down that Saman was unlucky to be grouped with a Champion of this nature in his very first match in this knock out contest.

Today the Lankan 15-a-side Rugger team will confront Korea while their Golfers will be out for the first time.