The Indians were totally overshadowed by Sri Lanka, whose runners not only rewrote three SAF records today, but also welcomed a new athlete into their ``Olympic pool''.

Rohana Pradeep Kumara took the men's 400m in an impressive time of 45.77secs, erasing the mark of countryman Sugath Tillekeratne (46.12secs), and broke the barrier of 45.82secs to make the elite club. Two Lankan athletes, already members of the country's Olympic pool -- hurdler Sriyani Kulawansa Fonseka and Damayanthi Darsha -- also set new marks.

While the 29-year-old Fonseka improved upon her own timing of 13.34secs set during the Madras Games in 1995 clocking 13.12, Darsha ran a powerful race in 400m to win in 52.11secs. Darsha improved upon India's Shiny Wilson's time of52.12.

India, who won just three gold today, got the first shock when Pakistan's Rehana Kauser pushed Jaicy Thomas to second spot in women's high jump. Rehama had the best jump of 1.69m as compared to Jaicy's 1.66m.

Then came the poor performance by Sanjay Kumar Rai in men's long jump. Rai, who touched 8.00 recently could manage only 7.63m as the gold was taken by PKS Rohita of Sri Lanka with a jump of 7.76m.

However, more was to follow in the 400m when Rohana Pradeep Kumar, running in the first lane, overtook India's R Ramachandran on home stretch and pulled away for a convincing win. Ramachandran also had a good time of 46.10, which according to his coach Harbans Singh, is his best electronic time.

He ran a hand timed 46.00 in Bangalore recently. Lijo David, coming back from injury, took bronze in 46.86.

India's only gold in track came in men's 5,000 even as Lanka threatened to run away with everythin. K Sankar won gold in a slow time of 14:49.51, making up for Gulab Chand's pull-out. He failed tolive up to his coaches' expectations in the 800m, running the first 200m slow to finish sixth. The event was won by Sri Lanka's V Ratnakumara in 1:51.08. The diminutive Gulab, was elbowed whenever he tried to move ahead, and had no juice left at the finish. Anil Mathew of India took the silver.

Lalit Bhanot, the All India Amateur Athletic Federation (AIFF) secretary said that the decision to field Gulab in an unfamiliar event ``was a gamble that failed''. ``Gulab won the 800m recently in Thiruvananthapuram, and surprised us with his kick. 800 is our weakest event, and we were not expecting Anil Mathew to win, so we took a chance. At the SAF Games, it is only gold that matters for us. Anyway, we were sure Sankar would win 5,000, which he did,'' Bhanot said.

The two other gold for India came in throws -- Pramod Tiwari won the hammer with 65.84m and Hridyanand taking the discus (53.11).

In the women's 100m hurdles, national champion Debi Bose slipped at the starting blocks and pulled out after clearingfirst two hurdles. The other Indian in the event, Anuradha Biswal came second behind Fonseka in 13.72secs.In women's 400, Darsha was far too good for the Indians. K Beenamol tried hard to catch up during the final 50m, but Darsha won with a lot to spare. India's Rosa Kutty, meanwhile, finished fourth.

Fonseka, whose best is 12.91, said she was ``not happy with her time here''. The former SAF Games high jump record holder (1991), who switched to hurdles in 1991, suffered a bout of influenza a fortnight before coming here. She is also struggling with injuries to her lower back.

The star of the day anyway was Rohana Pradeep Kumara. ``Darsha inspired me. Her 100m gold gave me the styrength,'' he said. The 23-year-old runner has been in the shadow of Sugath Tillekeratne for long, but if today's time is any indication, he could soon be troubling the Asian Games champion.

With six gold today, Lankans are running India close, and the coming two days could see some fascinating duels.

AhtleticsResults

Men 110m hurdles: Mahesh Perera (Lanka) 14.22; PT Yesudass (Ind); Mohd Shah (Pak). 400m: R Prem Kumar (Lanka) 45.77 (NGR - old 46.12); R Ramchandran (Ind); Lijo David (Ind); 800m: V Ratnakumar (Lanka) 1:51.08; Anil Mathew (Ind); Mohd Tariq (Pak); 5,000m: K Shankar (Ind) 14:49.41; Gyan Hohara (Nep); Sunil Jayaweera (Lanka); Hammer: Pramod Tiwari (Ind) 62.84m; Instiaque Ahmed (Ind); Ghulam Bari (Pak). Long Jump: PKS Rohitha (Lanka) 7.76m; Sanjay Rai (Ind); Banaris Khan (Pak). Discus: Hridyanand (Ind) 53.11m; Mohd Javid (Pak); TF Aleileema (Lanka).

Women: 100m hurdles: Sriyani Kulawansa (Lanka) 13.12 (NGR -- old 13.73); 2 Anuradha Biswal (Ind); I Umayaini (Lanka); 400m: Damayanti Darsha (Lanka) 52.11 (NGR -- old 52.12); KM Beenamol (Ind) 52.69; SN de Soyza (Lanka). High jump: Rehana Kauser (Pak) 1.69m; Jaicy Thomas (Ind); S Jayanthi (Ind).