Discus thrower Palitha Bandara won the silver medal at the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games after producing another outstanding performance in the men›s F44-64 event and said it was not just a medal for himself.
At a time when athletes are demanding big money and retiring without performing, Bandara said the medal was for all the people of Sri Lanka.
“This silver medal does not belong to me alone. I consider it a medal won by all the people of Sri Lanka. I dedicate this medal to my motherland and its people,” Bandara said after his achievement.
The 34-year-old para-athlete from Matale won the silver medal with a personal best throw of 46.84 metres, becoming the only Sri Lankan athlete to win a medal at the Games up to Thursday.
Bandara also created history by becoming the first Sri Lankan athlete to win medals at two consecutive Commonwealth Games, having claimed silver in the same event at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
One of Sri Lanka’s most decorated para-athletes, Bandara is a two-time Paralympian who finished fifth in the men’s Shot Put F63 event at both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. He also won a bronze medal at the 2024 World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe and has earned several medals at the Asian Para Games.
Alex Davies of Wales retained the Commonwealth title with a winning throw of 48.38 metres, while Akeem Stewart of Trinidad and Tobago secured the bronze medal.
Reflecting on his performance, Bandara revealed that he had to stop competing after his opening attempt due to physical discomforts.
“I suffered a cramp, so I had to end my competition after my first throw. I hope to bring even greater achievements to Sri Lanka in the future,” he said.
Sri Lanka is represented at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games by a contingent of 39 athletes competing in seven sports, with Bandara’s silver medal standing as the country’s first medal of the Games.
Silver for Bandara
