Sri Lankan civil aviation authorities have sought an explanation from Turkish Airlines over damage reportedly caused to the sporting equipment of world champion javelin thrower Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage during his return journey to Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation said.
A special meeting was held yesterday at the Civil Aviation Authority premises with representatives of Turkish Airlines to discuss the incident and the damage sustained by the athlete’s equipment.
The meeting was chaired by Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Janith Ruwan Kodithuwakku. Ministry Secretary W.W.S. Mangala, Director General of Civil Aviation Captain Daminda Rambukwella and Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, retired Colonel Ranjith Rajasinghe, also attended the meeting.
During the discussion, representatives of Turkish Airlines expressed regret over the damage caused to Tharanga’s sporting equipment and agreed to conduct an internal investigation into the incident.
The airline will also assess the full extent of the damage and take steps to compensate the athlete for the losses incurred, according to the Ministry.
Tharanga’s preparations for the 2026 Asian Games have reportedly suffered a setback after all five of his competition javelins were damaged during his flight back to Colombo.
The 23-year-old athlete was returning to Sri Lanka from Budapest after winning the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Hungary on Sunday when the equipment was reportedly damaged during the flight.
