Rumesh Tharanga javelins were damaged during his return to Sri Lanka, prompting a complaint, an airline investigation and compensation talks.
Five Rumesh Tharanga javelins, including equipment used for some of his biggest international victories, were damaged during his return journey to Sri Lanka with Turkish Airlines.
The world No. 1 javelin thrower arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake on September 15 after winning the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, Hungary.
Tharanga said he usually walks out of Katunayake Airport filled with happiness. However, this time he left deeply saddened after discovering the damage to his competition equipment.
The five damaged javelins included equipment he had used during recent major competitions.
Tharanga arrived from Istanbul aboard Turkish Airlines flight TK-730 after winning the javelin titles at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship and Diamond League Final. Reports confirmed that all five competition javelins suffered damage during his journey.
Rumesh Tharanga Javelins Included Championship Equipment
Among the damaged equipment was the javelin Tharanga used to win the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest.
He recorded 91.09 metres to win the men’s final on September 13. World Athletics’ official results confirm that he finished first ahead of Grenada’s Anderson Peters and Germany’s Julian Weber.
Another damaged javelin was associated with his 92.07-metre performance in Zurich, Switzerland.
Tharanga said he had intended to use the equipment at upcoming competitions, including the Asian Games, the 2027 World Championships and the 2028 Olympic Games.
He had also planned to preserve the javelins as personal souvenirs after his competitive career.
Speaking to the media at Katunayake Airport, Tharanga reflected on both his international success and the disappointment surrounding his equipment.
“I am truly happy that for the first time Sri Lanka was able to become the Diamond and Ultimate champion. I was able to bring both those championships to Lanka. I am very happy to be the first athlete from Lanka to go to two competitions like this and bring two championships to Lanka for the first time. And unfortunately, 05 javelins that I threw over 92 meters had broken during the flight due to some mistake on the aircraft. So there is nothing to be done.”
He added:
“Honestly, when I came out of the airport, I did not come out very happily. But I am very happy to be able to bring two trophies like this to Lanka. In the future, I hope to go to the Asian Games, World Championships, and Olympic Games. I have only about three more medals left to win for Lanka. I will definitely win those 03 medals for Lanka.”
Tharanga also posted a photograph of the damaged equipment on social media. In his post, he referred to performances achieved with the javelins and thanked Turkish Airlines.
Complaint Filed Over Damaged Javelins
Tharanga subsequently lodged a formal complaint at Katunayake Airport regarding the damage to his five javelins.
SriLankan Airlines, which provides ground handling and baggage services at Bandaranaike International Airport, also addressed the incident.
SriLankan Airlines media spokesperson Deepal V. Perera explained the airline’s role in handling baggage after arriving aircraft.
“The ground handling at the airport is done by SriLankan. When a flight arrives, what we do is take steps to hand over the passengers’ baggage from the relevant aircraft to the relevant passengers as quickly as possible.
“In this incident, Rumesh Tharanga came to Lanka transiting through two aircraft. He came on two aircraft belonging to Turkish Airlines. There, it is difficult for us to say how these javelins were damaged. Therefore, a complaint has been made to Turkish Airlines to conduct an investigation into the incident,” he said.
The circumstances surrounding how and at what stage the javelins suffered damage therefore remained subject to investigation.
Turkish Airlines Expresses Regret and Agrees to Investigation
The Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation subsequently held discussions with representatives of Turkish Airlines over the incident.
Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Janith Ruwan Kodithuwakku chaired the meeting at the Civil Aviation Authority premises on September 15.
According to the Ministry, Turkish Airlines representatives expressed regret over the damage to Tharanga’s sporting equipment.
The representatives also agreed to conduct an internal investigation and assess the full extent of the damage. Following that assessment, necessary steps would be taken to compensate Tharanga for his losses.
Initial reports indicated that a direct response from Turkish Airlines regarding an investigation into the damaged equipment had not yet been received.
However, subsequent developments confirmed discussions between Sri Lankan aviation authorities and Turkish Airlines representatives. The airline’s representatives expressed regret and agreed to investigate the incident, assess the damage and take the necessary steps towards compensation.
Social Media Users Criticise Turkish Airlines
The incident also triggered criticism of Turkish Airlines from Sri Lankan social media users.
X user Kameera Dilshan described the damage to the world-leading athlete’s professional equipment as unbelievable.
“Shame on you @TurkishAirlines The sports equipment of the world’s number one javelin thrower Rumesh Tharanga has been severely damaged during a flight to Colombo. This damage to professional-level equipment is unbelievable.”
Other Sri Lankan users posted critical comments on Turkish Airlines’ official Facebook page.
“How can we trust your airline? All these javelins are special to us as Sri Lankans,” Facebook user Nimesha Manathunga wrote while attaching a photograph of the damaged equipment.
Another Sri Lankan, Nissanka Fernando, posted that he would never use Turkish Airlines.
Former Sri Lanka cricket captain Angelo Mathews also commented on the incident.
“This is a highly unacceptable act committed by this airline. These are not merely sports equipment, but things carrying sensitive and valuable memories for the athlete. As an athlete, I can understand it well. Airlines should show more care and responsibility regarding their passengers’ property,” Mathews wrote on X.
Government Pledges Replacement Javelins
The Sri Lankan government has also responded to the incident.
At the Cabinet decisions media briefing on September 15, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said the Sports Minister had intervened and guaranteed that Tharanga would receive the equipment he needed. Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage had also pledged new javelins for the athlete.
“Athlete Rumesh Tharanga is a priceless resource for our country. Not only do we wish him well, but the government will do everything possible for his sports career and for bringing victories to Sri Lanka.
“After this incident was reported, the Minister of Sports intervened and we guaranteed that steps would be taken to provide the javelin he needs, as well as to intervene regarding all matters and his security.
“What is there, now the hope we have to make the dream of an Olympic gold medal come true is athlete Rumesh Tharanga. We will intervene to protect his life,” the Minister said.
The damaged Rumesh Tharanga javelins have therefore prompted action from the athlete, Sri Lankan aviation authorities, Turkish Airlines and the Sports Ministry. Attention now turns to the outcome of the airline’s investigation, the assessment of the damaged equipment and the compensation process.
