On September 2, 2024, at the iconic Stade de France in Paris, Sri Lankan para-athlete Samitha Dulan Kodithuwakku achieved historic sporting glory at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Competing in the Men’s Javelin Throw (F64 final), Dulan unleashed an astonishing throw of 67.03 meters on his fifth attempt. This remarkable feat earned him the Silver Medal—Sri Lanka’s first medal at the Paris Paralympics—and shattered his own previous world mark to establish a brand-new World Record in the F44 classification. Building upon his Bronze medal triumph at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, Dulan became a two-time Paralympic medalist and one of the rare athletes worldwide to set a global world record during a Paralympic final.
Hailing from the rural town of Deniyaya in the Matara District, Dulan’s journey to the world stage is a profound testament to courage, discipline, and perseverance. After surviving a severe road accident that permanently impaired his leg mobility, he channeled his passion into para-athletics, joining the Sri Lanka Army sports program and training relentlessly. His historic achievement in Paris brought immense pride to Sri Lanka, demonstrating to students and young athletes across the island that physical limitations and hardships cannot deter dedication, humility, and the unyielding pursuit of excellence.