Para athlete Palitha Bandara says a Paralympic medal is the single achievement still missing from his career, and that he intends to win one for Sri Lanka in 2028.
Bandara, who won silver at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games last month, told NewsFirst he remains the only Sri Lankan para athlete to have taken silver at two successive Commonwealth Games, having also finished second at Birmingham in 2022. Both medals came in the discus.
“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.
His remaining target lies in a different event. A two-time Paralympian, Bandara placed fifth in the men’s shot put F63 at Tokyo 2020 and again at Paris 2024.
“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,” he said.
Bandara also pointed to the 2030 Commonwealth Games in India as a further opportunity, suggesting conditions there could suit him.
“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.
He credited his coach, Prabath Danushka Perera, a former national medallist in throwing events, with guiding his development, and said his career would not have existed without the military.
“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,” he said.
Bandara captained Sri Lanka’s 40-member squad in Glasgow and carried the flag at the opening ceremony. He won bronze at the 2024 World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe.
