- Life and Times of the Nation’s valiant sporting heroes
Today we bring to you the heroes – the pride of Lanka’s sporting finesse, the Sri Lanka paralympic contingent of 8 top class and budding athletes who will be taking flight for the 17th Summer Paralympics in Paris from 28 August to 8 September. The Games will comprise 549 events in 22 sports with 4,400 athletes from around the world.
We asked the Lankan athletes about the life and times of their sporting journey and beyond.
Below are excerpts from the interviews.
Anil Prasanna Jayalath
T64 100 metres
“I grew up in the village of Uhana Weranketagoda, a village in Ampara and schooled at Waranketagoda Maha Vidyalaya. After excelling in Advanced Level exams in the Arts stream, achieving top grades I had dreams of becoming a teacher. However, economic hardships at home made it difficult for me to realise this dream. One day, I saw a poster on the wall of a shop in the village, featuring soldiers of the Sri Lanka Army. Inspired by their courage, I decided to join the Army in 2004.
Tragically, in 2009, during a fierce battle in the Pudukuduirippu area, My knee was shattered. After enduring a year and a half of excruciating pain and confinement to a hospital bed, I found the strength to rise again.
Later I entered the world of sports at the 2014 Asian Para Games, won a gold medal in the athletics 200-metre event, as well as two silver medals in the 100-metre and long jump events.”
However, in 2017, financial difficulties forced Anil to leave the Army and his sports career. He started a small retail shop and a flowerpot business, but the Covid-19 pandemic severely affected his ventures. After a five-year hiatus, Anil returned to the sports arena and won a silver medal for Sri Lanka in the 2022 Asian Para Games, highlighting his indomitable spirit. His goal now is to be among the top eight in the 100-metre event at the upcoming Paris Paralympic Games and to win a medal.
Pradeep Somasiri
T47 1500 Meter Running Event
“I grew up in the picturesque village of Kiriporuwa in Eheliyagoda and received my primary education at Kiriporuwa Vidyalaya and later pursued higher education at Sri Sumana Pirivena in Mulgampitiya. I was totally into athletics from school days winning district-, provincial-, and national-level running competitions even though I was born with a disability and joined the Ministry of Sports in 2016 with an initial goal of joining a special needs cricket team.
My path took an unexpected turn when I met a captain from the Kuruwita Army Camp, who introduced me to para sports and encouraged me to pursue training in para athletics.
In 2017, I won silver medals in the 400-metre and 200-metre running events at the Dubai Asian Youth Para Games, which led to my selection to the Sri Lanka national team.
However, my athletic journey was interrupted for nearly a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this setback, I returned to the sport with renewed focus, this time concentrating on the 1500-metre event.
In 2022, I won gold at the Asian Para Games and a silver medal at the World Para Grand Prix held in Morocco in 2024. My dream is to record an outstanding timing and win a medal at the upcoming Paris Paralympic Games.”
Janani Dhananjana
T47 Long Jump
At just 19 years old, Janani Dhananjana, a 13th-grade student at Suradootha Balika Vidyalaya in Kuliyapitiya, has already made significant strides on the international stage. As her school did not have a sports stadium, Janani participated in her school's 2018 inter-house competitions at the Shilpa Shalika Grounds in Meegahakotuwa. Impressed by her abilities, it was a provincial coach who first introduced her to para sports. Despite her arm disability, Janani's remarkable courage and perseverance serves as an inspiration to young athletes.
This is Janani’s story:
“I began my international athletic career by representing Sri Lanka at the 2018 Jakarta Para Athletics Games. In the 2021 Asian Youth Para Games, I achieved a trio of bronze medals in long jump, 100-metres, and 200-metres. Since then, I have continued to excel, winning a gold medal in long jump at the 2022 Indian Open National Para Athletics Championship. In 2023, bagging a gold medal in the 100 metres, a silver in long jump, and a bronze in the 200 metres at the Indian Open Para Athletics Championship. Additionally, I secured a silver medal in long jump at the 2022 Asian Para Games and won a gold medal in the 100 metres and a silver in long jump at the 2024 World Para Grand Prix.
I am now focused on delivering my best performance and setting a new personal best at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, where I hope to make my country proud.”
Samitha Dulan
F44 Javelin Throw
“I grew up in Deniyaya, Matara, and completed my education at Deniyaya National School. During my school years, I excelled in javelin throw, discus throw, and shot put, qualifying for all-island competitions even before finishing school.
In 2009, I joined the Sri Lanka Military Police and set a record in the javelin throw at the 2016 Army Novices Athletics Championships, signalling a promising future. In a sudden turn of events, I met with a severe accident in Kalutara while riding a motorcycle, which left me bedridden for two years at the Narahenpita Hospital, enduring both physical and emotional pain. Despite these setbacks, I was determined to comeback and returned to the sport in 2018, ready to pursue my athletic dreams.”
Samitha's career reached a pinnacle when he won a bronze medal in the javelin throw at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, a milestone he cherishes deeply. He continued his success with a bronze medal at the 2023 Paris World Para Athletics Championships and a silver medal at the 2022 Asian Para Games. In 2024, at the World Para Athletics Championships in Japan, Samitha earned a silver medal in the F64 category, also becoming the world's furthest javelin thrower in the F44 category.
Samitha's sole focus now is to win a medal at the upcoming Paris Paralympic Games, and he is determined to achieve this goal.
Nuwan Indika
T44 100 Metres
M.G. Nuwan Indika, who lived in the village of Wetiya Barawakumbura in Hambantota, received his education at Wetiya Dharmapala National School.
“During my school days, I was passionate about volleyball, participating in regional and district competitions. However, due to increasing financial difficulties at home, I had to cut my education short and joined the Army.
March 11, 2009 marked the saddest day of my life. A mortar attack in the Pudukuduirippu lagoon left me severely injured. At the age of 25, I faced the heartbreaking reality of spending the best years of my life in a wheelchair, relying on crutches. Despite this, my spirit remained unbroken. After watching sports competitions for disabled athletes online, I found inspiration and resolved to move forward and refused to be a burden on society. This determination gave rise to Nuwan Indika, the athlete.”
Indika's achievements include a silver medal in long jump at the 2018 Asian Para Games in Indonesia, two silver medals in the 100-metres and long jump at the 2021 Open Para Championships in India, a gold medal and a record placed in the 100-metres and a silver medal in the long jump at the 2022 Asian Para Games in China, as well as a bronze medal in the 100-metres at the 2024 World Para Championships.
“ I am now focused on winning a medal for my country and my future at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games ”, said the spirited Indika.
Suresh Dharmasena
Wheelchair Tennis
Suresh Dharmasena grew up in the village of Paluketuwewa, Kahatagasdigiliya, in Anuradhapura where his family was engaged in farming. During his school days, he excelled in volleyball and represented his school in all-island tournaments.
“In 2007, I joined the Sri Lanka Army and trained at the Minneriya Army Camp before being deployed in military operations in the North and East. In 2009, while near Chalai Lagoon in Pudukuduirippu, I was severely injured by a landmine explosion. When I regained consciousness, I realised that I had lost my left leg.
In 2010, I was introduced to tennis at the Panagoda Army Headquarters under the guidance of my superior General, despite previously knowing nothing of the sport. I took on the challenge to seek an escape from the monotony of life in a wheelchair. After just two days, I felt disheartened and considered quitting the sport after losing every match I played. However, Suresh I did not give up and started practising relentlessly, developing blisters on my hands, determined somehow to reach my goals.
I emerged victorious in the 2017 Malaysia Open Para Tennis Tournament and the 2018 Thailand International Tennis Federation Para Tennis Tournament. In the same year, myself, alongside Lasantha Ranawira, won a bronze medal in the doubles event at the Asian Para Tennis Championships in Indonesia, marking the first Asian medal in the history of Sri Lankan Para Tennis. My current goal is to finish among the top 16 players at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.”
Palitha Bandara
F44 Shot put
“I was born in Kaluganga, a village in Pallegama, Matale, where farming is the primary livelihood. I schooled at Millawana Maha Vidyalaya where I was actively participating in volleyball competitions.
In 2009, I left home to join the Army without informing my parents, knowing they would not permit me to enlist. While serving in the Army, I often participated at inter-regiment volleyball competitions. In 2013, a tragic accident occurred during a game when a friend fell on my foot, causing a severe fracture. After a long period of immobility, I began to rebuild my life by returning to sports and initially trained by myself by watching videos online, it’s an experience that I will never forget.”
Under his coach's guidance, Palitha achieved many victories for the nation. His accomplishments include a silver medal in the shot put at the 2018 Asian Para Games, a silver medal in the discus throw at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, a bronze medal in the shot put at the 2022 Asian Para Games, and a bronze medal in the shot put at the 2024 World Para Athletics Championships.
“ Currently I am ranked 6th globally with a record throw of 14.27 metres, I aspire to surpass this achievement and win a medal at the upcoming Paris Paralympic Games and bring home our Mother Lanka all its glory ” said Palitha confidently.
Naveed Raheem
S09 400 Meter Freestyle Swimming
Naveed Raheem, at 19-years of age hailing from Ragama is a determined young athlete who currently studies at D.S. Senanayake College, Colombo.
“My journey in swimming began unexpectedly in 2015 when I went to watch my brother's swimming practice, where I was asked to join the training.”
Born with a disability, Naveed has demonstrated remarkable abilities that have captured the world's attention. His first international representation came at the 2017 Dubai Asian Youth Para Games, where he competed in swimming events. At just 16 years old, Naveed achieved a significant milestone by winning a bronze medal in the 400-metre freestyle at the 2021 Asian Youth Para Games. Despite doubts about his chances at the 2022 Asian Para Games, Naveed defied expectations by securing another bronze in the 400-metre freestyle, leaving everyone amazed. In 2024, Naveed was selected to the finals at the Para Swimming World Championships held in Singapore, showcasing his growth as a young athlete.
“The day I got to know that I was selected for the upcoming Paris Paralympic Games was an unforgettable moment in my life. It has been 20 years since Sri Lanka last represented swimming in the Paralympics, and I am gutted to perform at and bring out my best, to bring honour to my country, and improve my world ranking,” said a jubilant Naveed.
The Daily Morning wishes nothing but the best for our Lankan athletes at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, do your best and bring home the glory!