Palitha creates history at World Para Athletics Grand Prix

Winning gold medals at two events, Shot Put and Discus Throw (F-44) at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2025 Dubai is a real boost to go forward, said Sri Lankan Para athlete Palitha Bandara in an exclusive interview with the Daily News. Four Sri Lankan athletes were able to win six medals including three golds. It was an exceptional achievement by Palitha Bandara who created history as the first Sri Lakan para athlete to get gold in two throwing events in one International meet. Palita’s pet event is Shot Put but now he has proved he can triumph in both shot put and discus throw at International level.

Palitha Bandara the first Sri Lankan Commonwealth Games Discuss throw silver medalist in 2022 came to the highlight as first Sri Lankan Para athlete to take part in Commonwealth Games. “I have decided take up discuss throw since shot part was not part of the 2022 Commonwealth Games but today I am really satisfied to take two golds at both throwing events discus throw and shot put and it was the first time a Sri Lankan won golds in two throwing events at a world event.

I claimed shot put gold with an achievement of 13.77m while Discuss throw gold with a distance of 44.06m but this was not my best achievements in both events. If I had good competition from others I could have easily gone for more distance achievements. I was able to finish fifth at Shot Put event with a distance of 14.51 m at last Paralympics in Paris 2024 and my aim is to take part next Paralympics to get a medal. These two medals gave good confidence for my journey said Palitha Bandara the Sri Lanka Army Staff Sergeant after return home from Dubai meet.

Competition against top international athletes always gives good exposure and my determination is very high to go for the Paralympic medal. My coach Prabath Dhanushka Perera always back me while the Sri Lanka Army and National Paralympic Committee always strengthen me to go forward and their support is very important, added Palitha Bandara.

2025 started with two golds in one meet and it helps me to improve my ranking, but we have more International meets before Paralympics.

The World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2025 recently held in Dubai where Sri Lanka para athletes excelled with winning a total of six medals, including three gold medals. Apart from Palitha’s two gold medal Sri Lankan Paralympic silver medalist Samitha Dulan, who participated in the F64 men’s javelin throw event, won the gold medal.

In addition Nuwan Indika, representing the T44 category, won silver medals in both the long jump and 100 meters and Pradeep Somasiri, representing the T46 men’s 1500 meters event, won the silver medal in the same event.

Sri Lanka managed to win a total of six medals in this tournament from four athletes Samitha, Palitha, Indika and Pradeep and it was a huge achievement, said National Paralympic Committee President Colonel Deepal Herath. Every medal boosts the athlete’s journey. Our medal winning para athletes are so far not appreciated by the Sports Ministry and hope they will give due recognition and rewards as they promised earlier.

 Source:Daily News