Colombo, Sri Lanka, September 21, 2026: Sri Lanka’s javelin champion Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage has expressed gratitude to those who offered financial assistance to purchase javelins following the recent damage to his equipment, but urged that such generosity be extended to other athletes across the country.
Tharanga’s preparations for the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan suffered a setback after five of his javelins were damaged on his return flight to Colombo after winning the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest on Sunday, September 13.
This has prompted a huge out-pouring of support for the World No. 1 and Asian Games gold-medal favourite with well-wishers - the Sports Ministry, businessmen, as well as members of the public - offering him money to buy new equipment.
In a statement on Monday, September 21, Tharanga noted that, while he will receive replacement javelins from the airline responsible, many other athletes in the island-nation are forced to spend their own money to buy essential equipment.
Local media reported that Tharanga had revealed that he had received offers of support enough to buy 100 javelins, and urged the same assistance be offered to other athletes.
“Please extend that love to other athletes of our nation, because it is difficult to pursue sports in Sri Lanka,” he posted in Sinhalese on social media.
Tharanga emphasised that he has not accepted money, even a single rupee, from anyone, clarifying that his appeal was to highlight the struggles faced by talented athletes from families experiencing hardships.
He added that he intended to undertake a significant initiative following the 2026 Asian Games.
Tharanga, who has won 12 of 13 international competitions he has contested in 2026, including the gold medal at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, will be in action in Nagoya on September 26 during the qualifying rounds in the men’s javelin. The final is set for September 28.
