Sri Lanka to field 9 athletes for Tokyo Paralympics 2020
The Sri Lanka will pin hopes in winning at least two medals at the upcoming Tokyo Paralympics, as National Paralympic Committee (NPC) officially released the names of nine athletes who will represent Sri Lanka at the Games, which will be held from August 24 to September 5.
Javelin thrower Dinesh Priyantha Herath has been named as the captain of the team, in which includes six track and field athletes and one each in archery, rowing and wheelchair tennis. Besides the skipper, the team includes Samitha Dulan (javelin), Sampath Hettiarachchi ( javelin ), Kumudu Priyanka (100m and long jump), Saman Subasinghe ( 400m), Palitha Bandara ( shot put), Sampath Bandara ( archery), Mahesh Jay akody(ro wing) and D. S. Dharmasena ( wheelchair tennis).
The Sri Lanka contingent will consist of a total of 17 members, including athletes, coaches, managers and administrative officials. According to Chef de Mission, Maj. Gen Rajitha Ampemohotti, Sri Lanka has the potential of winning at least two medals as they have done in two previous Paralympics at London 2012 and Rio 2016.
At the 2012 Paralympics in London, Sri Lanka won its first medal through Pradeep Sanjaya, who won the bronze medal in the Men's 400m T46. At the 2016 Paralympics in Rio, Sri Lanka won a bronze as current skipper Dinesh Priyantha Herath was placed third in the men's javelin throw F46 final.
The Sri Lankan contingent is expected leave the island on August 19 after undergoing all health regulations specified by the Tokyo Par a l ympc Organisers and will stay in a bio bubble during the entire period of the games.