DAVAO CITY, Philippines, August 21 (ePRESS) – British School in Colombo students Kael and Rael Liyanage spearheaded Sri Lanka’s four-medal haul of one gold and three silvers at the Senator Bato Cup 2026 in Davao City, Philippines, with Kael winning the country’s only gold and Rael claiming a remarkable silver just two weeks after surgery to reattach a separated tendon in his hand.
Kael captured the gold medal in the PCC Optics Grand Junior category, while Rael secured silver in the PCC Optics Super Junior category as the Sri Lankan shooters impressed against strong international opposition from the Philippines, Thailand, Macau and Sweden.
Rael’s performance was particularly remarkable. The British School student entered the competition only two weeks after undergoing surgery to reattach a separated tendon in his hand.
Despite the short recovery period, he fought through the setback to finish second and take silver in the PCC Optics Super Junior event. He was also recognised as the PCC Overall and Super Junior international champion.
Kael also delivered a strong performance for Sri Lanka. Apart from his gold medal, the British School student was recognised as the PCC Grand Junior international champion.
Daniel Kao added another silver medal for Sri Lanka after finishing second in the Handgun Open Division Super Junior category. He was also named the Handgun Open Super Junior international champion.
Kao narrowly missed a second medal when he finished fourth in the PCC Optics Super Junior category.
Experienced shooter Janaka Ritigahapola completed Sri Lanka’s medal haul with a silver in the Handgun Open Super Senior category. He was also recognised as the Handgun Open Super Senior international champion.
Sri Lanka therefore finished the Senator Bato Cup with one gold and three silver medals, together with four international champion awards.
The team returned to Sri Lanka after completing a successful overseas campaign which also included the Bali Open in Indonesia and the Kadayawan Festival in the Philippines.
The shooters received a warm welcome on arrival, with the President and Secretary of the National Rifle Association, the Secretary of IPSC, family members and friends present to greet them.
The overseas campaign produced what the team described as the biggest international medal haul by Sri Lankan shooters, with the performances of the Liyanage brothers providing a major highlight.
Rael’s comeback was especially inspiring, as he overcame a serious hand injury and surgery just two weeks earlier to stand on the podium against top international competition.
