Sri Lanka will be represented by three elite athletes at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, from 13–21 September. Male javelin throwers Rumesh Tharanga and Sumedha Ranasinghe earned their spots through direct qualification, with throws of 86.50 m and 85.78 m, respectively, following strong performances in domestic and regional competitions.
No Sri Lankan female athlete met the direct qualifying standard, so Sri Lanka Athletics nominated Dilhani Lekamge and Nadeesha Ramanayake for universality places, which allow countries to send athletes without direct qualification. Ramanayake, who specialises in the 400 m, secured her place through this system, while Lekamge missed out.
Ramanayake, from Weeraketiya in Hambanthota District, is a former Asian Championship gold medallist and a member of the national 400 m women’s and mixed relay teams. She will make her maiden appearance at the World Championships, marking the first time a Sri Lankan female has competed at the event since Chandrika Rasnayake in the 400 m at Berlin 2009. The three-member team, accompanied by head coach and manager Pradeep Nishantha and trainer Tony Prasanna, is scheduled to fly to Tokyo on 9 September.
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