By Hishan Welmilla
Sri Lanka’s para-athletes received an official send-off in Colombo yesterday ahead of the 5th Asian Para Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026, with Japanese Ambassador Akio Isomata calling on the contingent to draw inspiration from the country’s recent Asian Games success and return from Japan with a strong medal haul.
The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games, scheduled from 18 to 24 October 2026, will bring together around 4,000 athletes and team officials from across Asia for competition in 18 sports under the theme “Imagine One Heart.” Nagoya will serve as the main venue, with events also taking place at venues across Aichi Prefecture.
Addressing the Sri Lankan contingent at the ceremony hosted by the Embassy of Japan, Ambassador Isomata singled out javelin thrower Rumesh Tharanga, who recently won Sri Lanka’s gold medal at the 20th Asian Games, as an example for the para-athletes to follow.
“I hope you will follow Rumesh Tharanga, who secured the javelin gold medal last month at the 20th Asian Games, and earn as many medals as possible,” Isomata said.
A proud Para Games record
Sri Lanka arrives in Japan with a considerable record at the Asian Para Games.
At the inaugural Asian Para Games in Guangzhou in 2010, Sri Lanka won nine medals — one gold, two silver and six bronze, finishing 17th in the medal standings.
The country’s para-athletes produced an even stronger performance at the 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta, winning 14 medals — four gold, six silver and four bronze to finish 14th overall. Athletics was overwhelmingly responsible for that success, accounting for 13 of the 14 medals, including four gold medals. Sri Lanka also won a bronze in wheelchair tennis.
The Jakarta campaign was highlighted by outstanding performances in athletics, including gold medals for Dinesh Priyantha Herath in the men’s F46 javelin throw, Amila Prasan in the 100m and 200m, and Buddika Indrapala in the long jump.
At the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games, held in 2023 after the pandemic-related postponement, Sri Lanka added three medals — one silver and two bronze. K.A. Samitha Dulan won silver in the men’s F44 javelin throw, while H.G. Palitha Bandara took bronze in the men’s F63 discus throw and S.M.A.S.M. Subasinghe won bronze in the men’s T47 400m.
That gives Sri Lanka a total of 26 medals across the first four editions of the Asian Para Games — six gold, nine silver and 11 bronze.
More than medals
Ambassador Isomata, however, reminded the athletes that the value of their participation goes beyond the medal table.
“There are important things beyond medals and podiums: fair play and the pursuit of excellence to the best of your ability,” he said, expressing confidence that the Sri Lankan contingent would make the country proud and inspire the next generation.
Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry Secretary A.H.M.U. Aruna Bandara and Sri Lanka National Paralympic Committee President and Chef de Mission Brigadier (Retd.) D.K. Aludeniya also attended the ceremony.
For Sri Lanka, Aichi-Nagoya represents another opportunity to build on a decade and a half of achievement. From the nine-medal breakthrough in Guangzhou to the remarkable 14-medal haul in Jakarta and the three medals at Hangzhou, the country’s para-athletes have repeatedly demonstrated their ability to compete with Asia’s best.
Now, as Sri Lanka heads to Japan, the challenge is to turn that proud history into another memorable chapter — with medals, records and performances that can inspire the next generation of para-athletes.
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