• Strap - Lanka’s first-ever Asian Games javelin gold medallist welcomed home in style 

SLT-MOBITEL has congratulated its Brand Ambassador Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage on winning the javelin throw gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with a throw of 88.55 metres.

The achievement makes Tharanga the first Sri Lankan athlete to win an Asian Games gold medal in the javelin throw, according to SLT-MOBITEL.

His victory adds to an outstanding 2026 season, during which he also won the Diamond League title in Brussels and the World Athletics Ultimate Champion title in Budapest. He competed against a strong field that included reigning Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan.

Upon his arrival at Bandaranaike International Airport, Tharanga received a special welcome from SLT-MOBITEL representatives Asitha Jayasekara, General Manager; Kapila Kulasena, Deputy General Manager; Pushpa Tharanaga, Deputy General Manager; and Dilkushan Perera, Deputy General Manager.

SLT-MOBITEL said it remained committed to supporting Tharanga as he pursued further achievements on the international stage, including his ambition of reaching the Olympic Games.

The company said Tharanga’s journey from a promising fast bowler to an international javelin thrower reflected the determination and discipline it sought to support through its backing of Sri Lankan athletes.