Sri Lanka’s record-breaking javelin thrower, Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, was honoured by Uswatte Biscuits Pvt Ltd, his official sponsor, at a special felicitation ceremony held on 22 June 2026 at Vinro Reception Hall, Kennanthudawa. The event, hosted in Rumesh’s hometown, brought together his family, relatives, friends, neighbours, and members of the local community who have supported and encouraged him throughout his journey, creating a heartfelt celebration among those who have stood by him since childhood.
The ceremony celebrated a series of historic performances that have elevated Sri Lanka’s standing in international athletics, while also bringing together sports officials, community leaders, supporters, and well-wishers to recognise Rumesh’s remarkable rise on the global stage.
Pathirage’s breakthrough season has been marked by unprecedented success. At the 2026 Rome Diamond League, he delivered a throw of 92.62 metres, setting a new Sri Lankan record and producing the world’s leading javelin throw of the season. The achievement also placed him among the all-time greats in the sport, ranking eighth in history at that time.
His impressive form continued with a victory at the prestigious Ostrava Golden Spike athletics meet in the Czech Republic, where he secured first place with a throw of 86.57 metres against a strong international field. He further strengthened his reputation with another winning performance at the Diamond League meet in Doha, Qatar, contributing to his rise to World No. 2 in the global rankings.
These achievements have not only brought immense pride to Sri Lanka but have also demonstrated the country’s ability to produce athletes capable of competing at the highest level internationally.
The felicitation ceremony also reflected Uswatte Biscuits’ commitment to recognising and supporting Sri Lankan excellence. Speaking at the event, young entrepreneur and Managing Director of Uswatte Biscuits Pvt Ltd, Mr. Shankar Perera, congratulated Rumesh on his outstanding achievements and reaffirmed the company’s dedication to supporting individuals who bring honour and recognition to Sri Lanka on the global stage.
Uswatte Biscuits, one of Sri Lanka’s most renowned biscuit manufacturers, has been a trusted household name for over 70 years. Guided by a commitment to quality, innovation, and affordability, the company continues to strengthen its presence both locally and internationally while contributing meaningfully to initiatives that inspire and uplift communities. The partnership with Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage reflects Uswatte Biscuits’ enduring belief in recognising and supporting Sri Lankan talent capable of achieving excellence on the global stage.
Tokyo Cement Hosts ‘Build Beyond 2026 Summit’
Tokyo Cement hosted the ‘Build Beyond 2026 Summit’, a premier knowledge-sharing conference that brought together leading academics, civil and structural engineering experts, and professionals from Sri Lanka’s construction industry.
The event featured keynote addresses by renowned construction technology specialists, Professor Shashank Bishnoi of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi–Abu Dhabi, and Senior Professor Priyan Mendis of the University of Melbourne.
Marking the second edition of the Build Beyond Engineering Technology Summit organised by the Tokyo Cement Group, the event was designed to foster stronger collaboration between academia and industry while highlighting global trends, innovations, and emerging technologies in cement and concrete. The summit attracted participation from state-sector authorities, research institutions, academia, engineering students, and both public and private sector organisations, creating a dynamic platform for industry-wide engagement.
A key highlight of the summit was a high-level panel discussion on “Building a Resilient and Sustainable Construction Future”, featuring several distinguished industry leaders.
The panel included Eng. Nissanka Wijerathne, Secretary General/CEO of the Chamber of Construction Industry Sri Lanka (CCI) and Founder and Deputy Chairman of Civil & Structural Engineering Consultants (Pvt.) Ltd.; Eng. Shiromal Fernando, Chairman of CTBUH Sri Lanka, Vice President of the Green Building Council Sri Lanka, Adjunct Senior Lecturer at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, and visiting lecturer at the University of Moratuwa; Eng. Ananda Senarath, Fellow and Past President of the Society of Structural Engineers Sri Lanka (SSE-SL) and Council Member of the Association of Consulting Engineers Sri Lanka; and Dr. Rohan Karunaratne, President of the Ceylon Institute of Builders (CIOB) and the South Asian Lean Construction Association. The session was moderated by Professor Kushan Wijesundara, Head of the Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya.
Standing with a Champion, Inspiring a Nation: Uswatte Biscuits supports Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage on his Olympic journey
