A healthy rivalry for supremacy in middle and long distance running commenced when they were schooling at remote Sooriyawewa and it grew into the most looked forward to battle at National Athletics Championships from the time Nimali Liyanarachchi shifted to the 800 metres from steeplechase to compete against her school alumni Gayanthika Abeyratne. This battle went a step further when they started brushing shoulders at the Asian level in the women’s 800 metres.
