Athletics: Army says there is no system to promote Paralympic Bronze medalist

Dinesh Priyantha Herath, the Rio Paralympic Bronze Medalist, represented Sri Lanka through the Sri Lanka Army but it all looks as if he will not be recognised by the Sri Lanka Army for this feat. 

It all points out that he will not be promoted. 

Normally all service personnel who bring honour to the country are elevated in their ranks but it looks as if such luck will not favour Dinesh. 

He has been representing Sri Lanka at Para Olympics since 1996. 

Then in the years 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016 Sri Lanka has been taking part in Paralympics and this is the second medal Sri Lanka has won in these Games. 

The first medal was won at the London Paralympics 2012 when Pradeep Sanjaya bagged the T-46 Bronze Medal in the 400metres. 

For his effort Pradeep Sanjaya was promoted from Lance Corporal to that of Sergeant. 

Added to that he received a cash award of Rs. Four Million and a house. 

The Ministry of Sports and the Sri Lanka Army were responsible for these awards. 

The presentation was made by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. 

It looks as if the Army will not make any presentations to Dinesh Priyantha Herath as he is a retired soldier. 

On December 16, 2008 Dinesh was injured in the Killinochchi war as he received several T-56 gun shots to his left arm. 

Presently his hand is lifeless. 

Due to this set back he retired on July 16, 2014 as he was unable to carry on with his duties. 

Presently he is attached to the Gajaba Regiment Sports Club and it is through this that he got involved in the Paralympics. 

Since he is not directly attached to the Sri Lanka Army he is not entitled to any promotions as per the prevailing Army rules. 

When inquired from a top official in the Sri Lanka Army why Dinesh was not considered for any promotions. 

This official said that the Sri Lanka Army appreciates Dinesh Prasanna’s excellent efforts.

“The Sri Lanka Army too received a lot of accolades as a result. But due the prevailing rules in the Army we cannot grant him any promotions. 

“However Pradeep Sanjaya who won a medal at the London Paralympics received all he deserved because he is still serving in the Sri Lanka Army.” 

To a question why former retired officers were promoted after such events, mentioning their names, the officer said: “That is a good point. It is my duty to inform the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army and to see that everything possible is done to promote and honour Dinesh.” 

The Rio Paralympic Games concludes today. Nine athletes from three sports from Sri Lanka participated. The sports are: Athletics, Wheelchair Tennis and Archery. 

A specialty is that all Sri Lankan athletes qualified for the final rounds and the only medal was won by Dinesh Prasanna Herath. 

In the F-46 Javelin event Dinesh hurled the javelin to a distance of 58.23 metres to bag the Bronze Medal. 

This was Dinesh’s personal best. 

India’s Devendra Jhahharia won the Gold Medal with a distance of 63.97 metres. 

The Silver Medal was won by Guomark of China with a distance of 59.93 metres. 

Dinesh’s first international event was the Open Para Games in Malaysia where he hurled the javelin to a distance of 51.96 metres. 

In the second event which was the German Grand Prix (2016) he hurled the javelin to a distance of 53.69 metres. 

At the Para Trials held at the Diyagama Sports Complex this year Dinesh cleared 55.26 metres to qualify for the Rio Paralmpics. 

Dinesh is currently 30 years old. 

He attended Kahagama Dhatusene Maha Vidyalaya. 

He is the father of a daughter and a son. 

Even though he is a top javelin thrower his favourite sport is cricket. 

He trained for the Javelin Throw under his personal coach Rohitha Fernando. 

The Sri Lanka team will return from the Rio Paralympics on September 21 evening at the Bandaranaike International Airport. 

The Sports Ministry and the Sri Lanka Army are making elaborate arrangements to greet the team. 

This year too China swept the board at the Rio Paralympics winning 94 Gold, 74 Silver and 49 Bronze as on Saturday (17). 

England was in second spot with 58 Gold, 33 Silver and 35 Bronze.