Paralympic Heroes return, over 106 million cash bonanza

The Sri Lanka Paralympics team received a heroes’ welcome upon their arrival last evening, while the Sports Ministry announced formal cash awards to the winners.

Prior to their departure from Japan, Dinesh Priyantha (who won the gold medal in the F46 Javelin throw event), and Samith Dulan (who won the bronze medal in the F44 Javelin throw event) were presented with motor cars by Sri Lanka Automobile Association Japan (SLAAJ) at the airport.

SriLankan Airlines celebrated Dinesh’s achievement with a cake during the flight, while Ministry officials were present at the Sports Ministry to welcome the team. Also present was Minister S.M. Chandrasena who had come to join the welcome party.

Earlier in the day the Sports Ministry announced prize money for all Para athletes who finished within the top 16 will be felicitated, even though some events had less than 16 participants. Accordingly, gold medalist and Record holder Dinesh Priyantha will receive Rs 60 million, including 10 million world record bonus sponsored by Sri Lanka Cricket, while bronze medalist Samith Dulan will receive Rs 21 million, with 1 million coming from SLC.

Coach Pradeep Nishantha, the man behind both Dinesh and Dulan, will receive 25% of the prize money which is equal to Rs 17.5 million. Palitha Bandara who finished 5th in the Shot Put F63 event will receive Rs 2.5 million. Kumudu Priyanka(9th), Saman Subasinghe (9th), Chaminda Sampath (9th) and Mahesh Jayakody (12th) will receive Rs 1 million each.

Breakdown of Prize money is as follows: 

Gold Medal – 50Million Bronze Medal – 20Million 4th – 8th place – 2.5Million 9th – 16th Place – 1Million (x4) World Record – 10M Allocation for coaches – 19.125M The prize money for the WR and an additional 1M sponsored by Sri Lanka Cricket Total prize money – 106.625Milion

SL Para athletes’ performance at Tokyo Paralympics 

Dinesh Priyantha (F46 Javelin Throw) – Gold Medal (World Record) – 67.79m Samith Dulan (F44 Javelin Throw) – Bronze Medal – 65.61m Palitha Bandara (F63 Shot Put) – 5th – 13.40m Kumudu Priyanka (T46 Long Jump) – 9th – 4.92m; 100m – 15th -13.31 sec Saman Subasinghe (T47 400m) – 9th overall 51.08 sec Chaminda Sampath (F64 Javelin Throw) – 9th – 49.94m Mahesh Jayakody (Rowing) – 12th