Cash bonanza for top Sri Lanka Olympians

Tharushi Karunarathna, Dilhani Lekamge, and Aruna Dharshana receiving their cash awards from the Minister of Sports, Harin Fernando 

By Susil Premalal

Sri Lanka’s six-member contingent for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games received a cash bonanza of LKR 6 million through the courtesy of the Sports Ministry.

This is the first time such a large amount has been presented to the Sri Lankan athletes to boost their confidence under the direction of Sports Minister Harin Fernando, Director General of the Department of Sports Development Professor Shemal Fernando told the Daily Mirror yesterday.

Therefore, each athlete who has qualified for the Paris Olympic Games will receive LKR 1 million. 

Meanwhile, the other expenses of the six athletes, including the return air fare, accommodation, board, and lodging, will be borne by the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka.

The presentation of the cash awards to the six Sri Lankan athletes took place at the Duncan White Auditorium of the Sports Ministry, under the patronage of Sports Minister Harin Fernando. 

In addition, a sum of LKR 120 million was presented to the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games and Para Games medal winners, coaches, and athletes who finished among the top 8. 

As a result, Asian Games women’s 800m gold medalist Tharushi Karunarathna received LKR 15 million, and women’s javelin throw silver medalist Dilhani Lekamge received LKR 10 million.

Hangzhou Asian Para Games Men’s 100m Gold Medalist Nuwan Indika received LKR 14 million.

The beneficiaries:

Olympic Games: Athletic (3): Tharushi Karunarathna (women’s 800m), Dilhani Lekamge (women’s javelin throw), and Aruna Dharshana (men’s 400m); Swimming (2): Kyle Abeysinghe (men’s 100m freestyle), Ganga Senevirathna (women’s 100m backstroke); and Badminton (1): Viren Nettasinghe (men’s singles).