Road to Paralympics 2024 Dulan to lead Sri Lanka at Paris Games

By Susil Premalal   

Tokyo 2022 Paralympics Games Bronze Medallist and international Para Athlete Samitha Dulan will lead the six-member Sri Lankan contingent at the 2024 Paris Paralympics Games from August 28 to September 8 in France.   

Dulan’s appointment as the Captain of the Sri Lanka Paralympics Squad has been confirmed by the National Paralympics Committee of Sri Lanka (NPCSL).   

Dulan, who will compete in the Men’s F-44 javelin throw, is confident that he could win another medal for his country with his experience having represented Sri Lanka at several international Para Athletic meets.   

Dulan grew up in Deniyaya, Matara and completed his education at the Deniyaya National School. During his school days, Dulan excelled in the javelin throw, discus throw and shot put, qualifying for online competitions even before he ended his school career.   

In 2009, Dulan joined the Sri Lanka Military Police. He set a record in the javelin throw event at the 2009 Army Novices Athletic Championships, signalling a promising future.   

In a sudden turn of events, while riding his motorcycle, Dulan met with a severe accident in Kalutara, which left him bedridden for two years at the hospital enduring both physical and emotional pain.  

Despite these setbacks, Dulan’s determination saw him return to the sports in 2018.   

Dulan’s career took a new turn when he won a Bronze Medal in the javelin throw event at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. He continued his success with a Bronze Medal at the 2023 Paris World Athletic Championships and a Silver Medal at the 2022 Asian Para Games.   
In 2024, at the World Para Athletic Championship in Japan, Dulan won a Silver Medal in the F-64 categories, becoming the world’s furthest javelin throw in the F-44 category.   

Dulan’s sole focus now is to win a medal at the upcoming Paris Paralympics Games and he is determined to achieve his goal.