Minister of Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage has pledged to provide Sri Lankan javelin star Rumesh Tharanga with a new set of javelins after five of his competition javelins were severely damaged while being transported back to Sri Lanka.

Tharanga returned to the country early today (15) after completing a remarkable international campaign, having won the men’s javelin throw at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, Hungary, as well as the men’s javelin title in the Diamond League.

Tharanga produced a decisive 91.09-metre throw in his fourth attempt to secure victory in Budapest. Grenada’s Anderson Peters finished second with 86.18 metres, while Germany’s Julian Weber placed third with 85.89 metres.

The Sri Lankan entered the competition as a leading contender after recording a world-leading 92.62 metres earlier this year.

However, his celebrations were dampened after five of his javelins were damaged during his journey from Istanbul aboard Turkish Airlines flight TK 730.

Tharanga said the javelin he used to win his championship titles was among those damaged. He had planned to use the equipment at the upcoming Asian Championships, the 2027 World Athletics Championships and the 2028 Olympics, while also preserving the javelins as mementos of his achievements.

He said he had lodged a complaint with Turkish Airlines over the damage.