Eight of Sri Lanka’s brightest athletes have secured prestigious IOC Olympic Solidarity Scholarships, fueling dreams of Los Angeles 2028 and signaling a new chapter of ambition, talent and global recognition.
Sri Lanka has officially taken a bold step toward Olympic success as eight of its most promising athletes were awarded the prestigious IOC Olympic Solidarity Scholarships for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. This recognition represents not only a financial lifeline but also a powerful endorsement of Sri Lanka’s long-term sporting ambition.
The National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOC Sri Lanka) invited affiliated National Federations to nominate high-performing athletes who could realistically qualify for LA 2028. Out of 44 applicants, 42 successfully completed the process and were carefully reviewed by an independent three-member selection panel. Nine athletes were shortlisted for interviews, which were conducted with coaches and parents present to assess long-term training and competition strategies aligned to the Olympic pathway.
Following further evaluations by IOC Olympic Solidarity and the relevant International Federations, eight athletes were confirmed as recipients of the scholarships. The programme allocates USD 9,000 in funding, with a special category scholarship earmarked for wrestling star Nethmi Ahinsa through United World Wrestling (UWW). The remaining funds were distributed across the other selected athletes, all of whom represent the very best of Sri Lanka’s sporting talent.
The ceremonial awarding of scholarships took place on 11 October 2025 at the Duncan White Auditorium, Ministry of Sports, during the press conference of Team Sri Lanka for the 3rd Asian Youth Games in Bahrain. Attending the ceremony were Nethmi Ahinsa, Rumesh Tharanga, Aruna Dharshana, Lesandu Arthavidu and Hiruki de Silva, while Ranithma Liyanage, Tharushi Abhisheka and Viren Nettasinghe were represented by their parents due to overseas training commitments.
NOC Sri Lanka President Suresh Subramaniam congratulated the athletes, praising their dedication and discipline. He reminded them that while scholarships open doors, it is their commitment and relentless hard work that will ultimately turn these opportunities into medals. He reaffirmed NOC Sri Lanka’s mission to nurture elite athletes who can stand tall on the global stage and bring pride to the nation.
This scholarship programme forms a vital part of Sri Lanka’s Olympic preparation strategy, ensuring that talented athletes receive the recognition and support they need to thrive. It underscores the country’s determination to invest in its sporting future and to create pathways for young stars to rise to the highest levels of international competition.
List of Sri Lankan Scholarship Recipients
