Dinesh Herath Wins Historic Gold for Sri Lanka and Breaks World Record in Javelin

Dinesh Priyantha Herath Mudiyanselage scripted history on Monday, 30th August, as he set a new world record in the Men’s Javelin Throw – F46 event with a distance of 67.79 meters and won the first ever Gold Medal for Sri Lanka at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. The proud sponsor of the National Paralympics Committee for over two decades and the Sri Lanka Army Para Games Committee since 2015, Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider, Dialog Axiata PLC, powered the 9-member strong contingent to Tokyo.

Following a remarkable journey from soldier to sporting glory, the Army veteran, flag bearer, and captain of the nine-member Sri Lankan contingent for the 2020 Paralympics, Herath adds this latest Gold to a string of remarkable successes and firsts for his country, including winning a Bronze Medal at the 2016 Rio Paralympics and the 2017 World Para Athletics Championship London, a Gold Medal at the 2018 Asian Para Games Jakarta, and a Silver Medalist at the 2019 World Para Athletics Championship Dubai.

Commenting on his win, Dinesh Herath said, “I am honoured to have represented my country at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics and bring this victory home. I am incredibly thankful to everyone who supported me on my journey, including Hon. Namal Rajapaksa – Minister of Youth & Sports, Sports Ministry, my team, the National Paralympics Committee and our sponsor Dialog, for enabling this path towards victory for me and my team since the year 2000”.

Speaking on this momentous occasion, Hon. Namal Rajapaksa MP – Minister of Youth & Sports said, “It was a defining moment for our nation when the Sri Lankan national anthem echoed across the arena as Dinesh Herath won this historic Gold for our country. We are incredibly proud of his achievement. I would also like to commend the National Paralympics Committee for enabling these athletes to achieve greatness at a global platform, their commitment and dedication to the program has been exceptional. Combined with the efforts of the Department of Sports Development, the Ministry of Youth & Sports & the National Sports Council’s high performance program the Paralympic committee has set the bar for all other sporting bodies in Sri Lanka. I would also like to thank Dialog Axiata for their unwavering support towards the National Paralympic team for over two decades and for showing us all how empowering sports can truly transform lives.”

Dialog Axiata is the proud sponsor of Sri Lanka’s National Cricket, Rugby, Volleyball and Netball teams. The Company also has a close association with the President’s Gold Cup Volleyball, National Junior and Senior Netball tourneys, Club Rugby, Schools Rugby, Premier Football, Schools’ Cricket, Junior Volleyball and Paralympic sports – whilst also powering the Army Para Games, National Para Games and the Sri Lanka contingent to the World Paralympic Games.