Javelin thrower Rumesh Tharanga and silver medallist Palitha Bandara received a public felicitation in Colombo following their success at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Sri Lanka honoured two medal-winning athletes with a ceremonial motorcade and public reception in Colombo on Wednesday. Javelin thrower Rumesh Tharanga, who captured gold at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, and Palitha Bandara, who secured silver in his event, were greeted by large crowds and schoolchildren as the procession moved through the city from Torrington Square. Various institutions and organisations positioned along the route organised special receptions to recognise the athletes' accomplishments.
The official welcome included participation from Colombo Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazaar and members of the Colombo Municipal Council, who received the athletes at the Town Hall. A formal felicitation ceremony subsequently took place at Torrington Square, attended by Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage, Deputy Sports Minister Sugath Thilakaratne, and other senior sports officials.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Gamage outlined the government's commitment to supporting athletic excellence. He announced that the government recognises the potential of athletes like Tharanga and intends to strengthen backing through the "Mission Olympic" programme, which provides financial assistance and facilities for both competitors and coaching staff. The Minister emphasised that the government remains dedicated to developing Sri Lanka's sports sector with the aim of achieving success at the 2028 Olympic Games.
