Dialog felicitates Para medal winners

From left : Sri Lanka Paralympic Committee President Lt. Col. Deepal Herath, T - 42 Men’s Shotput Bronze medalist Palitha Bandara, F-44/ F-64 Men’s Javelin Throw Silver medalist and New World Record Holder Samitha Dulan, T-44 Men’s 100m Bronze medalist Nuwan Indika, Dialog Axiata Group Chief of Risk and Compliance Asanga Priyadarshana

Dialog Axiata PLC, last week honoured Sri Lanka’s World Para Athletics Championships medallists at a ceremony held at its headquarters.

The team, supported by Dialog, showcased their exceptional talents at the recent World Para Athletic Championships in Kobe, Japan, bringing home three medals. This achievement underscores Dialog’s commitment to excellence in sports and the remarkable capabilities of its athletes.

Indika Gamage’s performance in the T-44 100 metres final was spectacular as he secured a Bronze medal with a time of 11.83 seconds. Demonstrating his prowess and consistency, Gamage qualified for the final after an impressive win in heat 1, clocking in at 11.75 seconds. His achievements in the sprint category have brought pride to Sri Lanka.

Samitha Dulan captivated the audience by setting a new world record in the Men’s F-44 Javelin Throw event. The 33-year-old veteran athlete demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication, earning a Silver medal in the F-64 event with a throw of 66.49 metres. Dulan’s record-setting throw on his first attempt, followed by consistent high-performance throws of 63.96m, 53.91m, 59.81m, 56.51m, and 65.01m, has etched his name in the annals of sporting history. As a Bronze medalist in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics and the 2023 Paris World Championships, Dulan’s latest feat cements his status as one of the leading figures in para-athletics globally.

In the men’s Shot-Put T - 42 category, Palitha Bandara secured a Bronze medal with a throw of 14.27 metres, contributing to Sri Lanka’s three medals at the nine-day competition. These achievements highlighted the country’s growing presence in international para-athletics.

Dialog is a proud sponsor of the NPC and has a history spanning more than two decades with Paralympic sports in Sri Lanka. The company first sponsored the Sri Lanka Paralympic contingent in 2000, followed by 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020, including sponsorship of the National Para Athletics Championship. This partnership has been instrumental in fostering an environment conducive to the remarkable success of Sri Lankan para-athletes on the global stage. Noteworthy accomplishments include securing 1 Gold and 3 Bronze medals at the Paralympic Games, 2 Silver and 3 Bronze medals at the World Para Athletics Championships, and a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games. Moreover, Sri Lankan athletes have demonstrated exceptional prowess at the Asian Para Games, amassing 9 Gold, 18 Silver, and 22 Bronze medals over the years.

Sri Lanka Paralympic Committee President Lt. Col. Deepal Herath said: “Over the years, Sri Lankan Paralympic athletes have consistently won medals and brought glory to the country. We have been a strong, encouraging, and long-term sports partner for people with disabilities in Sri Lanka, tirelessly supporting their efforts at both national and international levels. I would like to thank our main sponsor, Dialog Axiata PLC, for their unwavering support.” 

Dialog Axiata PLC Group Chief of Risk and Compliance Asanga Priyadarshana said:  “The partnership between Dialog and NPC aligns with the company’s ongoing dedication to empowering differently-abled individuals through sponsorships such as this. We are honoured to give our fullest support over the years for these athletes to achieve their potentials in para sports. We congratulate the medal winners and all those involved in making them international stars. We at Dialog will continue to support them as they conquer new frontiers.”