Sri Lanka targets improved medal haul at 2026 Commonwealth Games

Sri Lanka expects its athletes to deliver a stronger performance at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage said on Saturday.

The country plans to send a 40-member contingent to the Games, with the minister hoping the team will win at least one or two gold medals as well as several silver and bronze medals.

“The Commonwealth Games is the second-largest multi-sport event in the world after the Olympic Games and is highly significant for Sri Lankan athletes,” Gamage said.

Sri Lanka won four medals at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Its best performance came at the 2018 Games on Australia’s Gold Coast, where the country secured six medals.

Sri Lanka has won four gold medals in Commonwealth Games history. Weightlifter Chinthana Vidanage was the last Sri Lankan to win gold, taking first place at the 2006 Games in Melbourne.

Gamage said several athletes in the current squad had the potential to compete successfully at the highest level.

He identified javelin thrower Rumesh Tharanga and US-born artistic gymnast Tiana Sumanasekera as two of Sri Lanka’s leading medal prospects.

“Rumesh Tharanga is a world-class javelin thrower and is currently ranked second in the world, while Tiana Sumanasekera is another strong prospect,” he said.

The Government has allocated substantial funding to improve the skills and preparation of the athletes, Gamage said.

He expressed confidence that the Sri Lankan contingent would produce strong results and bring recognition to the country at the Games.