Sept 13, Colombo: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa today felicitated the country's first ever Paralympics medalist Lance Corporal Pradeep Sanjaya who won a bronze medal for the men's 400m T46 event at the 2012 London Paralympic Games.

Sanjaya has also received a cash award of Rs. 4.5 million and a plot of land in the Western Province. The Army has pledged to build a house for him in the future.

Sanjaya received severe injuries to his right arm when troops were advancing to Kilinochchi in 2008.

Sanjaya's family, Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Sports Ministry secretary Anura Jayawickrema, Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, National Paralympic Committee President, Brigadier Rajiv Wickremasinghe were also present.

(Photos by Sudath Silva)