For Sri Lankan Para athlete Palitha Bandara, reaching the Commonwealth Games podium has become a remarkable tradition. After securing silver in 2022, the accomplished shot put athlete repeated the feat at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, becoming the only Sri Lankan Para athlete to win silver medals at two consecutive editions of the Games.
Bandara described the two achievements as among the proudest moments of his sporting career.
“I won silver medals at both the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the 2026 Commonwealth Games. It is something that gives me immense pride and happiness,” he said.
Despite establishing himself among Sri Lanka’s leading Para athletes, Bandara remains focused on achieving even greater success. His next major ambition is to convert his Commonwealth silver medals into a gold at the 2030 Commonwealth Games in India, where he believes the similar climatic conditions could work in his favour.
Before then, however, Bandara has set his sights on an even bigger target the 2028 Paralympic Games.
The shot put athlete hopes to secure Sri Lanka’s first Paralympic medal in his event, an achievement he considers the biggest remaining goal of his career.
Bandara credited his coach, Prabath Danushka Perera, a former national medalist in throwing events, for playing a significant role in his development and continued success.
“My coach, Prabath Danushka Perera, has been a tremendous influence on my journey. He is a medal-winning athlete in national throwing events and has helped me immensely.”
With two Commonwealth silver medals already secured, Bandara says the Paralympic podium is the one major achievement still missing from his career.
“The only thing I have yet to achieve is a Paralympic medal. That is my biggest goal now. In 2028, I hope to bring a Paralympic medal to Sri Lanka in the Shot Put event.”
Bandara also acknowledged the crucial role played by the Sri Lanka Army and Sri Lanka National Guard in his sporting journey, saying their support helped provide the foundation for his development as an athlete.
“If I had not joined the Sri Lanka Army and the Sri Lanka National Guard, there would be no athlete called Palitha Bandara today. I am deeply grateful to everyone who supported me throughout this journey.”
Today, Bandara represents more than his two Commonwealth medals. His journey reflects determination, discipline and resilience, while his ambitions continue to grow.
With Commonwealth success already secured and a Paralympic dream ahead, Palitha Bandara is determined to make the next chapter of his career his most significant one yet.
