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Sergeant Dinesh Priyantha, who won a Gold medal at the Tokyo Paralympic Games, has been immediately promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer 1. The move made by the Army Commander General Shavendra Silva was with the approval of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
In a related development, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa, via separate messages, extended their best wishes to Dinesh for winning Sri Lanka’s first-ever Paralympic Gold and setting a World Record in the men’s javelin throw F46 event.
The Prime Minister said Dinesh had demonstrated the same commitment to uniting the country through his victory, that he had shown when he was a soldier defeating terrorism.
The PM’s message also said Dinesh’s achievement amid COVID-19 challenges would inspire fellow Sri Lankans.
Separately, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Namal tweeted his best wishes to Dinesh saying: “A very proud moment for all Sri Lankans.”
Rajapaksa also tweeted a video of his video call with Dinesh moments after his historic win, where he congratulated Dinesh’s coach and requested Dinesh to come home with the medal soon.