By Hihan Welmilla
AICHI-NAGOYA, Japan, October 18, 2026 — Sri Lanka’s hopes of adding to its medal tally at the 5th Asian Para Games 2026 will receive an important test as the country’s para-athletes prepare to compete in the throwing events, with Samitha Dulan, Palitha Bandara, Pathum Jayathilake and Maleesha Deshan among the athletes drawing attention.
With a proud history in para-athletics, Sri Lanka will look to its throwing contingent to deliver strong performances against the continent’s best competitors. The combination of international experience, technical ability and determination could provide the country with further opportunities to challenge for medals in Aichi-Nagoya.
Samitha Dulan will be one of the key figures in Sri Lanka’s campaign. The experienced javelin thrower demonstrated his ability to compete at the highest level by winning silver in the men’s F44 javelin throw at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. He also secured silver at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games in 2023, underlining his status as one of Sri Lanka’s leading para-athletes.
Dulan’s international experience will be a valuable asset as he prepares to face a competitive Asian field. His prospects will depend on his current form, the distances achieved by his opponents and his ability to produce his best performance when it matters most.
Palitha Bandara will also be looking to make a significant contribution to Sri Lanka’s medal campaign. An established competitor in the throwing disciplines, Bandara won silver in the discus throw at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and bronze in the discus at the 2023 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou.
His achievements at major international competitions demonstrate his ability to challenge for honours. With experience of performing under pressure, Bandara will be aiming to translate that experience into another strong showing in Japan. His participation in the shot put also offers another opportunity to contribute to Sri Lanka’s campaign, subject to the confirmed event entries and classifications.
Pathum Jayathilake, who will compete in the F57 discus throw, represents another opportunity for Sri Lanka to make an impact in the field events. The discus requires a combination of strength, balance, rotational speed and precise technique, with consistency across attempts often proving decisive. As a debutant at the Asian Para Games his performance will be important in assessing the depth of Sri Lanka’s throwing contingent, although his recent results and personal best need to be confirmed before his medal prospects can be accurately evaluated.
Maleesha Deshan is also among the athletes identified in Sri Lanka’s throwing group. His participation adds further interest to the country’s campaign, as Sri Lanka seeks competitive performances across its field-event disciplines. His specific event F40 Shot Put, classification and previous international results should be verified against the official competition entries before a more detailed assessment of his prospects is made.
Sri Lanka’s previous achievements provide encouragement. At the 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta, the country won 14 medals, including four gold, six silver and four bronze. At Hangzhou in 2023, Dulan’s javelin silver and Bandara’s discus bronze further demonstrated Sri Lanka’s ability to compete successfully in para-athletics.
The challenge in Aichi-Nagoya will be to build on that legacy. The strength of the opposition, the athletes’ current form and their ability to execute their techniques under pressure will determine whether Sri Lanka can convert its potential into podium finishes.
Coaches Dhanushka Perera and Pradeep Nishantha will have important roles in supporting the athletes throughout the competition, helping them maintain concentration, follow their technical plans and perform to their potential.
“Our priority is to ensure that every athlete competes with confidence and delivers the best performance possible. The team has worked hard, and we hope to see that preparation reflected in the results.” Says Coach Dhanushka Perera who is training Palitha Bandara and Maleesha Deshan .
Coach Pradeep Nishantha, the coach of Samitha Dulan says “The Asian Para Games are a major challenge, but they also provide an opportunity for our athletes to demonstrate their ability. We want them to remain focused, compete to their potential and make Sri Lanka proud.”
The throwing events offer Sri Lanka several opportunities to strengthen its medal campaign, but previous achievements alone cannot guarantee future success. Each athlete must contend with the demands of the competition and the performances of rivals from across Asia.
With Dulan’s international credentials, Bandara’s proven record and the opportunities presented by Jayathilake and Deshan, Sri Lanka will be hoping for another memorable chapter in its para-athletics journey.
Can Sri Lanka’s throwing athletes deliver more medals at Aichi-Nagoya 2026? Their performances on the field will provide the answer as the nation looks to build on its achievements and inspire the next generation of para-athletes
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