Sri Lanka expect to win two medals at Tokyo Paralympics

By Susil Premalal

Sri Lanka will field a group of nine athletes at the Tokyo Paralympic Games, to be held in Japan from August 24 to September 5.

The National Paralympic Committee (NPC) of Sri Lanka will be sending a nine-strong contingent of athletes and their coaches, managers and admin officials, making it a maximum of 17.
Sri Lanka will compete in athletics, rowing (for the first time in the Paralympics history), archery and wheelchair tennis.

At least two medals are expected to be won, similar to the feats achieved at London in 2012 and Rio in 2016, according to the Chef De Mission, Maj. Gen. Rajitha Ampemohotti.
In 2012, Sri Lanka won their first Paralympic medal through Pradeep Sanjaya, who won Bronze in the Men’s 400 metres T46 while in 2016, Dinesh Priyantha Herath won Bronze in the men’s javelin throw F46 final.

Newly elected NPC President, Lt. Col. Deepal Herath, said that the Sri Lankan contingent is expected to leave the Island on August 19. They have undergone all health regulations specified by the Paralympic organizers and will be staying in a Bio-bubble during the entire period of the Games. 
The competing athletes: M.G. Sampath Bandara (Archery), Dinesh Priyantha Herath (Athletics — Javelin), Samitha Dulan (Athletics — Javelin), Sampath Hettiarachchi (Athletics — Javelin), Kumudu Priyanka (Athletics 100m/ Long Jump), Saman Subasinghe (Athletics — 400m), Palitha Bandara (Athletic — Shot Put), Mahesh Jayakody (Rowing) and D.S. Darmasena (W/Tennis).

• Sri Lanka won their first Paralympic medal through Pradeep Sanjaya, who won Bronze in the Men’s 400 metres T46 while in 2016, Dinesh Priyantha Herath won Bronze in the men’s javelin throw F46 final