Red Carpet welcome for Sri Lanka Paralympics Team

(From L - R) Dulan, coach Pradeep and Herath

By Susil Premalal

Sri Lanka’s Paralympic Gold Medallist Dinesh Priyantha Herath and Bronze Medallist Samitha Dulan Kodithuwakku along with the rest of the team members will receive a red carpet welcome when they arrive in the island today after competing in the 16th Tokyo Para Games in Japan.

The Sri Lankan Paralympics Team will arrive at 5.10 p.m. on Sri Lankan Airlines flight UL 455.
Herath won a Gold Medal with a record breaking effort of 67.79m in the Men’s javelin throw F46 event while Dulan secured the Bronze Medal in the Men’s javelin throw F44 event. This is the first time Sri Lankan para athletes had won two medals at the Paralympics, which paved the way for them to finish in 57th place in the final medals table.
Meanwhile, the Sports Ministry have already made arrangements to present a cash award of Rs. 50m to Herath and Rs. 20m to Dulan while their Coach Pradeep Nishantha will receive a cash award of Rs. 17.5m.
The National Sports Council (NSC) have already recommended presenting these cash awards, Director General, Sports Development Department Amal Edirisooriya said yesterday.   

The Sports Ministry is planning to present these awards to the two medal winning athletes during a State level ceremony to be held under the patronage of the President or Prime Minister.

In addition, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have also pledged to present a cash award of Rs. 10m to Herath and a cash award of Rs. 1m to Dulan.