Cash prizes totaling LKR 61.38 million were awarded today (02nd) to 37 outstanding athletes and their coaches who brought glory to the motherland in the international sporting arena during the years 2024 and 2025.
The ceremony was held under the patronage of the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage, with the participation of Aruna Bandara, Secretary to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports; I.P. Wijeratne, Sports Director of the Department of Sports Development, along with other ministry officials, athletes, and their dedicated coaches.
>>Howard Hinton Sevens 2026: UBB Take Elite Honors While Resilient Tuskers Secure Shield
Financial grants were distributed among athletes and coaches who achieved success at the 2024 World Para Athletics Championship in Japan, the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, the 2025 World Para Athletics Championship in India, and the 3rd Asian Youth Games held in Bahrain.
A breakdown of the financial rewards is as follows:
- 2024 World Para Athletics Championship (Japan): LKR 8.5 million was awarded to three outstanding athletes, while LKR 1.7 million was presented to their coaches.
- 2024 Paris Paralympics: LKR 20 million was distributed among three exceptional athletes, with LKR 4 million awarded to their coaches.
- 2025 World Para Athletics Championship: LKR 5 million was awarded to two athletes, while LKR 1 million was given to their coaches.
- 2025 3rd Asian Youth Games (Bahrain): LKR 18.18 million was presented to 11 talented young athletes, and LKR 3 million was awarded to their coaches.
The highest individual reward of the day was clinched by Para-athlete K.A. Samitha Dulan, who received LKR 15 million (150 Lakhs) for his phenomenal Silver Medal achievement in the Javelin Throw event at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. Additionally, youth athlete G.L. Lahiru Achintha was awarded LKR 5 million (50 Lakhs) for winning the Gold Medal in the 1500m event at the 3rd Asian Youth Games held in Bahrain.
Addressing the ceremony, Hon. Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage stated that the prestige an athlete brings to the country can never be equated to money, and these rewards are presented as a token of appreciation to inspire them. The Minister revealed that the ministry faced numerous challenges in releasing these delayed dues, but successfully resolved them by establishing a transparent, criteria-based formal system.
>>Sri Lanka Cricket announces National Player Contracts for 2026-2027
The Minister further noted that in line with the National People’s Power (NPP) policy manifesto, “A Rich Country – A Beautiful Life,” the government has initiated structured mechanisms to introduce professionalism for international-level athletes and their coaches.
He concluded by sharing that the President has instructed the ministry to focus not just on post-victory rewards, but on building a sustainable system to nurture athletes before they win. He also expressed confidence that these financial allocations will be expanded even further in 2026. He highlighted that the ongoing “Mission Olympic 2028” program is a foundational step designed to create professional athletes, many of whom were among today’s award recipients.
 to 37 outstanding athletes and their coaches who brought glory to the motherland in the international sporting arena during the years 2024 and 2025.){kind=link}