Support in galore for Sri Lanka’s first millionaire track and field athlete

Sri Lanka's first millionaire track and field athlete, Rumesh Tharanga, has been showered with support from various quarters following his historic victory at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest. The champion javelin thrower encountered a setback when his competition javelins were damaged during his return flight, leaving him unable to compete at the Asian Games.

In response to the unfortunate incident, the Sports Ministry swiftly stepped in to provide Tharanga with a new set of high-quality competition javelins, ensuring that the setback would not disrupt his preparations for the upcoming Asian Games. The swift action by the Ministry highlights the importance placed on Tharanga's international campaign and his growing success under coach Tony Prasanna.

The 23-year-old Tharanga's recent achievements, including his win at the Diamond League Series final in Brussels and the Ultimate Championship in Budapest, have propelled him to the position of becoming the richest track and field athlete in Sri Lanka's history. His triumphs, including a 91.09m throw at the Ultimate Championship, have elevated him to a level previously unattained by any other Sri Lankan athlete.

The damage to Tharanga's equipment, which reportedly included javelins used for his exceptional performances beyond the 90-metre mark, has been estimated to cost over Rs. 2 million. Tharanga has lodged a complaint regarding the incident and steps are expected to be taken to seek compensation from the airline responsible for handling the equipment during his journey.

The overwhelming public reaction to the news of the damaged javelins has been an outpouring of support from leading businessmen in Sri Lanka, such as Dudley Sirisena. The situation reflects a significant shift in Tharanga's journey, moving from a time of little backing to now receiving support from influential figures and social media platforms alike.