13/08/2026
(News 1st): For most athletes, standing on the podium once is a career-defining achievement. For Sri Lanka's Palitha Bandara, it became a habit.
Having already etched his name into the country's sporting history, Bandara remains the only Sri Lankan Para athlete to have won silver medals at two consecutive Commonwealth Games, a feat that has made him one of the nation's most inspiring sporting figures.
The accomplished shot put athlete first captured a Commonwealth Games silver medal in 2022 before repeating the achievement at the 2026 edition, once again carrying the Sri Lankan flag proudly onto the international podium.
Reflecting on his remarkable achievement, Bandara said winning medals at both competitions remains one of the proudest moments of his 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.
Yet despite becoming one of Sri Lanka's most successful Para athletes, Bandara insists his journey is far from over.
While two Commonwealth silver medals already sit in his trophy cabinet, his sights are now firmly fixed on even bigger milestones.
When asked about the challenges of competing against some of the world's best athletes and the possibility of eventually turning silver into gold, Bandara expressed confidence about the future.
"I certainly have a big ambition. The 2030 Commonwealth Games will be held in India, and the climatic conditions there are very similar to those in Sri Lanka," he said, hinting at his belief that the environment could help him push for an even stronger performance.
However, before 2030 arrives, another major target dominates his thoughts.
The Paralympic Games.
For Sri Lankan sports fans, 2028 is increasingly being viewed as a year that could potentially deliver one of the country's most significant achievements in Para sport, and Bandara is determined to make that dream a reality.
More details via newsfirst.lk
