Colombo, Sri Lanka, August 6, 2026: Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, a Corporal with the Sri Lankan Air Force, has been promoted to the rank of Sergeant following his historic gold medal in the men’s javelin at the recently-concluded Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The promotion was awarded on Wednesday, August 5, at the Air Force Headquarters in Colombo by SLAF Commander Air Marshall Bandu Edirisinghe, who recognised Pathirage’s exceptional achievement and his contribution to bring honour to the island nation.
Pathirage produced a remarkable performance with a throw of 89.75 metres to win the gold medal at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow.
The Air Force Commander also presented Pathirage with a special financial award. Cash rewards were also presented to his coach Tony Prasanna and his physiotherapist Chandima Gurusinghe.
Pathirage’s next major goal is the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games next month. But before that he will participate in the Wanda Diamond League in Lausanne, Switzerland on August 21, where he will renew his rivalry with India’s Neeraj Chopra, silver medallist in Glasgow, and Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem.