After nine years away from competitive racing, Sri Lankan racer Pasindu Peiris is returning to the track in 2026, marking the return of a competitor who has made his mark in both motorcycle and car racing. Peiris is the only Sri Lankan driver to date to have become a champion in both disciplines, bringing a career spanning more than two decades into his comeback.
In 2000, Peiris began his motorsport career on an 80cc bike. He built his career on two and four wheels and won championships in both motorcycle and car racing. A serious accident that occurred in 2017 during the peak of his competitive career marked a significant turning point and prevented him from participating in competitive racing for the following years.
His return has become more than just getting back behind the wheel after a nine-year absence. Peiris returns to competitive racing with years of experience after almost a decade away, but he also has the challenge of finding his rhythm in a motorsport environment that has changed dramatically in that time.
The decision to return has been driven by a passion for racing that never disappeared. While his life moved past the track during those years, his connection with motorsport remained, ultimately leading him to decide to compete again.
Pasindu Peiris reflected saying, “Motorsport has been a major part of my life, and having competed successfully in both motorcycle and car racing and achieved championship success, I always knew there was unfinished business on the track. The accident in 2017 changed the direction of my racing career, and being away from competitive racing for nine years gave me a different perspective, but my passion for the sport was unwavering. I decided to return because I wanted to push myself once more and see what I could do with the experience I had gathered from my previous racing years. Recognising how much the sport has evolved over the past nine years, from car technology and fitness requirements to preparation and the level of competition, means that getting ready again has required a significant amount of dedication. I want to build on that experience, compete at my best, and see where this next chapter leads me; I’m not just coming back to do what I did before. My return would be even more significant if it encouraged future Sri Lankan racers to follow their passion for motorsport and have faith in their ability to leave their mark. For now, I am focused on one thing: getting back on the track and giving this next chapter everything I have.”
Peiris has consequently had to prepare for more than simply getting back behind the wheel. His preparation has included physical conditioning, rebuilding race fitness, understanding the current competitive environment, and adjusting to advancements in vehicle technology.
His prior experience in both car and motorcycle racing has given him an understanding of the demands of competition, but this comeback also marks a new chapter rather than an effort to replicate his previous racing career. The goal is to integrate the knowledge he has gained from his time away from the sport with the experience acquired during his competitive years.
Backing Peiris’ return are main sponsors Macson Mesh Industries, Würth Lanka, Surya Lanka Ayurveda Beach Resort, Tranzformers Fitness Centre and Sushi Kai Japanese Fusion Cuisine, Anura Advertising along with other supporting sponsors and partners. Their decision to support his return after almost a decade away from competitive racing reflects the credibility and recognition Peiris has built throughout his career, and their belief in what he can bring to the track as he begins his next chapter.
Regaining competitive form, building race mileage, and competing against the current field are among Peiris’ goals for 2026. He also wants to stay involved in Sri Lanka’s motorsport community while continuing to grow as a racer beyond the current season.
His comeback also carries a message for young Sri Lankans who want to pursue careers in motorsport. Peiris believes that preparation, learning, and a determination to continuously push yourself are important aspects of racing beyond the outcome on race day. His own return after nine years is a reflection of that belief.
