British School in Colombo students Rael and Kael Liyanage led Sri Lanka’s impressive four-medal haul — one gold and three silvers — at the Senator Bato Cup 2026 in Davao City, Philippines, with Rael producing a remarkable silver-medal performance just two weeks after surgery to reattach a separated tendon in his hand. Kael Liyanage delivered [...]
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Kael Liyanage delivered Sri Lanka’s only gold medal, winning the PCC Optics Grand Junior category, while his sibling, fellow British School student Rael took silver in the PCC Optics Super Junior category. Rael’s performance was the standout effort of Sri Lanka’s campaign as he returned to international competition only two weeks after undergoing surgery on his hand.
Sri Lankan shooters Daniel Kao, Rael Liyanage, Janaka Ritigahapola and Kael Liyanage celebrate their successful medal-winning campaign
Despite the injury and a short recovery period, Rael showed great courage and determination to challenge strong international opposition and finish second in the PCC Optics Super Junior event. He was also recognised as the PCC Overall and Super Junior international champion, adding further value to an outstanding comeback.
Kael also enjoyed a highly successful competition. The British School youngster took the PCC Optics Grand Junior gold medal and was also recognised as the PCC Grand Junior international champion. Daniel Kao added another silver medal for Sri Lanka when he finished second in the Handgun Open Division Super Junior category. Kao was also named the Handgun Open Super Junior international champion. He narrowly missed another medal after finishing fourth in the PCC Optics Super Junior category.
Experienced shooter Janaka Ritigahapola completed Sri Lanka’s medal tally by taking silver in the Handgun Open Super Senior category. He was also recognised as the Handgun Open Super Senior international champion. Sri Lanka therefore ended the Senator Bato Cup with four medals — a gold and three silvers — along with four international champion awards.
The Sri Lankan shooters competed against strong opponents from the Philippines, Thailand, Macau and Sweden at the Davao City event. The team returned home following a successful overseas campaign which also included the Bali Open in Indonesia and the Kadayawan Festival in the Philippines.
The overall campaign produced what the team described as the biggest international medal haul achieved by Sri Lankan shooters, providing another major boost for the sport. The team received a warm welcome on its return to Sri Lanka, with the President and Secretary of the National Rifle Association, the Secretary of IPSC, family members and friends present to greet the shooters.
Print Edition – The Sunday Times, Sri Lanka
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