Olympian javelin thrower Dilhani Lekamge and quarter-miler Nadeesha Ramanayaka have been called up for the SRY gene test, a newly mandated requirement for female athletes competing at the World Athletics Championships 2025, scheduled to take place in Tokyo, Japan from 13–21 September.
Sri Lanka Athletics has nominated both athletes for wild card entries, pending final rankings and eligibility confirmation. The SRY gene test—now compulsory for female-category competitors—is designed to determine biological sex and has been endorsed by World Athletics as the most accurate method for classification
“We are submitting applications for both Dilhani and Nadeesha. Final entry will depend on multiple factors, including rankings and category clearance where only one of them will be selected by World Athletics” said Saman Kumara Gunawardana, Secretary of Sri Lanka Athletics.
Lekamge, currently ranked 47th in the Road to Tokyo standings, is expected to rise to 39–40 in the upcoming update. To qualify directly, she must break into the top 36. If she remains outside the quota, World Athletics may consider her for a wild card—though Gunawardana cautioned that field event wildcards may be deprioritized in favour of track events.
Based on recent performances, Lekamge is Sri Lanka’s top female contender, followed closely by Ramanayaka.
Dilhani Lekamge, who competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics, holds the Sri Lanka national record in javelin with a throw of 61.57m. Her decorated career includes medals at the Asian Games, Asian Championships, and appearances at the World Championships, Commonwealth Games, and South Asian Games.
Nadeesha Ramanayaka has battled through illness and injury, including a near-fatal bout of dengue in 2019. Her comeback has been remarkable: she won gold in the 400m at the 2023 Asian Championships, added two silvers in the 4x400m and mixed relays, and claimed bronze in the 4x400m this year. She recently clocked 52.86 seconds to win the national title at the Army meet.
Sri Lanka will not require wild card entries in the men’s category, as javelin throwers Sumedha Ranasinghe and Rumesh Tharanga have secured qualification by meeting the direct entry standard.
Understanding the SRY Gene Test
Effective 1 September, World Athletics requires all female-category athletes to undergo a one-time SRY gene test—conducted via cheek swab or blood sample—to confirm biological sex.
The regulation aims to ensure fairness and integrity in women’s sport, especially amid ongoing debates around transgender eligibility and DSD (Differences of Sex Development).
“At elite level, to compete in the female category, you must be biologically female,” said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe, emphasizing that gender cannot trump biology
The policy merges previous DSD and transgender regulations and introduces a pre-clearance system for female eligibility. The SRY gene test identifies the presence of the Y chromosome, a key marker of biological sex. World Athletics has pledged to maintain privacy and confidentiality throughout the process.