Sri Lanka athletes return with five

Sri Lankan athletes at their arrival

By Susil Premalal

The Sri Lankan athletics team, which participated in the first Indian Open, a World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze-level competition held in India, returned on Monday after a successful tour where they won five medals that included two gold medals.

Overall Sri Lanka secured two gold medals, two silver medals and one bronze medal. 

Among the winners was Rumesh Tharanga who achieved a new Sri Lankan record in the men’s javelin throw with a distance of 86.50 metres, earning direct qualification for the upcoming IAAF World Athletics Championship 2025. 

The 4×400m relay team comprising Omel de Silva, Sadew Rajakaruna, Inesh Dismitha and Kalhara Indupa Silva also won gold. Silver medals were claimed by Chamod Yodhasinghe in the men’s 100m event and Dilhani Lekamge in the women’s javelin throw while Sumedha Ranasinghe won bronze in the men’s javelin throw.

The athletes were welcomed at the Katunayake International Airport yesterday by officials from Sri Lanka Athletics, including General Secretary Saman Kumara Gunawardana, along with representatives from the athletes’ respective workplaces.