Colombo, Jan 11, 2.30PM – The National Paralympic Committee of Sri Lanka is set to host a grand ceremony at Waters Edge, Colombo, on February 24, to honor and celebrate the outstanding achievements of para athletes who brought glory to the nation over the past decade. This announcement was made by the Sri Lanka Paralympic Committee on Thursday.
Over the last 11 years, Sri Lanka has witnessed its brightest period in para-sports history, marked by a series of remarkable accomplishments, starting from Pradeep Sanjaya’s bronze medal at the 2012 London Paralympics to the impressive medal haul at the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics.
Sri Lanka has consistently secured medals since the 2012 London Paralympics, through the 2016 Rio Paralympics, and up to the recent 2021 Tokyo Paralympics. These achievements stand as the finest in the history of Sri Lanka’s Paralympic sports.
The upcoming event is more than just a ceremony; it is a felicitation program. The National Paralympic Committee aims to extend invitations to Sri Lanka’s prominent VIPs to pay tribute to the athletes and distinguished supporters who have been pillars of strength throughout the committee’s history.
Sri Lanka’s journey in Paralympics began with Pradeep Sanjaya winning the country’s first medal, a bronze in the T46 400m event at the 2012 London Paralympics. The success continued with Dinesh Priyantha securing a bronze in F46 Javelin at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games. The pinnacle was reached in the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics when Dinesh Priyantha set a world record, clinching Sri Lanka’s first-ever gold medal. Additionally, Samitha Dulan brought home a bronze in the F44 Javelin event during the same Paralympics.
Beyond the Paralympics, Sri Lanka has also shone in Para World Championships and the Commonwealth Para Games. Palitha Bandara’s bronze medal in the F42 category shot put at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Para Games and the impressive medal haul at the 2023 Asian Para Games in China underline the nation’s prowess in para-sports. The historic event will see the felicitation of nearly 29 para-athletes for their outstanding contributions.
