Sri Lanka concluded its campaign at the 5th Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, finishing 16th in the overall medal table with two gold, four silver and three bronze medals. The nine-medal haul highlighted the country’s continued competitiveness in para-athletics and swimming, with record-breaking performances from Pradeep Somasiri and Janani Dhananjana emerging as the major highlights of the Sri Lankan contingent.
Distance runner Pradeep Somasiri delivered one of the most outstanding performances of the Games, winning gold in the men’s T46 1,500 metres with a time of 4:03.25, establishing a new Games record. His victory demonstrated his endurance, tactical awareness and ability to maintain a strong pace before producing a decisive finish. Somasiri had also won gold in the same event at the 2023 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China, where he clocked 4:05.14. Improving his previous Games record by 1.89 seconds in 2026 underlined his continued development and consistency at the highest level of Asian para-athletics.
Janani Dhananjana also experienced disappointment in the women’s T47 100 metres, finishing fourth in the final with a time of 12.60 seconds. She narrowly missed the podium in a competitive race won by China’s Jie Shan in 12.36 seconds. However, Dhananjana responded impressively to the setback, winning silver in the women’s 200 metres before securing gold with a Games-record leap of 5.52 metres in the long jump. Her ability to recover from the disappointment of missing out on a medal in the 100 metres and go on to win two medals demonstrated her versatility, resilience and competitive determination.
Nuwan Indika Gamage added a silver medal in the men’s T44 100 metres, recording a season-best time of 11.58 seconds. Although he had won gold in the same event at the 2023 Asian Para Games with a time of 11.63 seconds, his faster performance in 2026 was not enough to secure the title. His result nevertheless demonstrated his continued sprinting ability and competitiveness against Asia’s leading para-athletes.
Palitha Bandara also secured silver in the men’s F42 shot put with a throw of 14.02 metres. Having won bronze in the event at the 2023 Games, Bandara improved his medal standing in 2026, reflecting his strength, throwing technique and consistency in a highly technical discipline.
Sri Lanka’s remaining medals came from a combination of athletics and swimming. Galina Basnayake won silver in the women’s S9 400 metres freestyle, demonstrating her endurance and ability to sustain an effective pace over a longer distance. Naveed Raheem secured bronze in the men’s S9 100 metres butterfly with a time of 1:03.29, showcasing his upper-body strength, coordination and swimming technique. Their achievements were particularly significant in broadening Sri Lanka’s medal contribution beyond track and field.
Mohamed Safran opened Sri Lanka’s medal account by winning bronze in the men’s T47 long jump with a leap of 6.55 metres. His medal-winning jump came on his final attempt, demonstrating his composure and ability to perform under pressure. Safran’s performance provided an early boost to the team and helped establish momentum for the campaign.
Maduranga Subasinghe also earned bronze in the men’s T47 400 metres, recording a time of 50.03 seconds. His performance reflected his speed endurance and ability to maintain pace over one lap of the track. His medal came after a competitive final in which he was classified alongside Uzbekistan’s Marufojon Morodollove following an evaluation of their equal finishing times. Together, the performances of Safran, Subasinghe and the swimming medallists contributed to Sri Lanka’s final tally of nine medals.
Samitha Dulan, Sri Lanka’s javelin thrower and one of the country’s leading para-athletes, narrowly missed a medal in the men’s F44 javelin throw, finishing fourth with a best effort of 64.10 metres. Dulan, the team captain, who won silver at the 2024 Paris Paralympics with a world-record throw of 67.03 metres in the F44 classification, had been among Sri Lanka’s strongest medal prospects. His fourth-place finish in Nagoya was a disappointment, although it did not diminish his standing as an accomplished international competitor.
Sri Lanka’s overall performance becomes more meaningful when compared with previous editions of the Asian Para Games. At the 2018 Games in Jakarta, Sri Lanka won 14 medals, comprising four gold, six silver and four bronze, finishing 14th in the medal standings. Athletics was the principal contributor, accounting for 13 medals, while wheelchair tennis provided the remaining bronze. The 2018 campaign therefore remains a benchmark for Sri Lanka’s medal-winning potential at the continental level.
At the 2023 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China, Sri Lanka secured 11 medals, including two gold, five silver and four bronze, finishing 18th overall. Pradeep Somasiri won gold in the men’s T46 1,500 metres, while Nuwan Indika Gamage won gold in the men’s T44 100 metres and silver in the long jump. Palitha Bandara also claimed bronze in the shot put. These results demonstrated the importance of experienced athletes and the country’s established strength in para-athletics.
The 2026 campaign showed a mixed but encouraging picture. Sri Lanka’s medal total declined from 11 in 2023 to nine in 2026, yet the country improved its overall position from 18th to 16th. Somasiri successfully defended his 1,500-metre title, while Dhananjana emerged as a double medallist with gold in the long jump and silver in the 200 metres. Bandara progressed from bronze to silver in the shot put, and Indika remained among Asia’s leading sprinters. These results suggest that several established athletes continue to improve or maintain their competitive standards, even as the team seeks greater depth across events.
Sri Lanka’s 16th-place finish at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games is therefore both an achievement and a reminder of the work required to progress further. The two gold medals and the Games-record performances of Somasiri and Dhananjana demonstrated the country’s ability to produce athletes capable of reaching the highest level in Asia. However, returning to the top 15 and challenging the 2018 medal benchmark will require sustained investment in athlete development, coaching, sports science, facilities and international competition exposure. Building on the progress made in athletics and swimming, while expanding opportunities in other para-sports, will be essential to Sri Lanka’s ambitions at the next Asian Para Games.