The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports on Tuesday awarded Rs. 61.38 million in financial incentives to 37 athletes and coaches who secured international sporting achievements during 2024 and 2025, at a ceremony chaired by Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage with senior ministry and sports officials in attendance.
The rewards covered athletes who excelled at four international meets: the 2024 World Para Athletics Championships in Japan, the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in India, and the 2025 Asian Youth Games in Bahrain.
Paralympic silver medallist K.A. Samitha Dulan received the highest individual award of Rs. 15 million for his result in the men’s javelin event at the Paris Paralympics — the marquee Sri Lankan performance of the recognition cycle. Athlete G.L. Lahiru Achintha, who won gold in the 1,500m event at the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain, received Rs. 5 million.
Officials said the incentive programme forms part of broader efforts to strengthen support mechanisms for elite athletes and coaches and to encourage greater international success ahead of future competitions, including the government’s “Mission Olympic 2028” initiative — the framework now driving cross-sport funding decisions including the tier-3 rugby allowances announced last week.
Source: Newswire.
