Colombo, Sri Lanka, October 1, 2026: Sri Lankan javelin ace Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage returned home to a hero’s welcome on Wednesday, September 30, and widespread adulation from the man-on-the-street to the President of the island nation.
Tharanga, who won gold in the men’s javelin at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, arrived on a Cathay Pacific flight from Hong Kong which touched down at Bandaranaike International Airport just before midnight.
He was welcomed joyously by members of his family and officials from the government, National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Athletics Association, Sri Lanka Air Force and the public.
Earlier, in a message posted on X, Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake extended his best wishes to Tharanga, who won the gold medal with a throw of 88.55m.
“Keep reaching for the skies, Rumesh – the nation is fully behind you,” President Dissanayake posted. The President also stated the government was committed to supporting Tharanga and other Sri Lankan athletes as they pursue success on the international stage.
Speaking to local media at the airport, Tharanga revealed he had travelled to Japan with the aim of winning the gold medal while also attempting to break the existing Asian Games record – 89.15m by China’s Zhao Qinggang at 2014 Incheon – but rain and wet conditions had forestalled his latter bid.
Tharanga, who is a sergeant in the Sri Lanka Air Force, also expressed his gratitude to Sri Lankans living in Japan who had travelled far distances to come to Nagoya to support him during the competition.
