Sangeeth Suriyage on his way to victory at Mahamevnawa Rally Cross

By Allaam Ousman

At 32, Sangeeth Suriyage has become a household name in Sri Lanka’s motorsports scene – not just for his victories, but for the unshakeable grit that got him there.

From crashing at the back of the grid to dominating Katukurunda Circuit with 20 straight wins, Suriyage’s journey is not one of instant success but of raw perseverance, personal sacrifice, and a mission to build something lasting for the next generation of racers.

A product of St. Joseph’s College, Colombo, Suriyage first made his mark on the basketball court. “Basketball was my first love, and my best friend Praneeth Udumalagala and I played together in school,” he recalls.

But the competitive edge in him sought a new challenge — an individual sport — and at just 16, he stepped into the world of motor racing through the entry-level LGB Formula series.

Although he began with four-wheelers, financial constraints forced a pivot. “I couldn’t afford to keep racing cars, so I switched to motorcycles,” he says. It was a practical choice, one that would ultimately shape his identity as a national racing champion.

Sangeeth Suriyage proudly displaying his trophies

By age 20, Suriyage claimed his first national title on two wheels. It was the start of a dominant run – five consecutive national Supermoto Motorcycle Championships. But the early years were humbling.

“I used to come in dead last. I didn’t have new bikes or access to good gear. No one in my family had done motorsport. I had to figure everything out – licensing, sponsorships, mechanics – on my own.”

His breakthrough came in 2016 with a stunning performance in the Supermoto category. “It was my first professional bike race, and I realised the only thing I lacked was self-confidence. In a team sport, you rely on others. In racing, it’s all on you. That realisation changed everything.”

Katukurunda, the track that once saw him finish last, has now become his fortress. Since 2016, he has remained unbeaten there. “That place means everything to me. I used to visit the pits as a kid. Winning both the 250cc and the open category there in 2016 made me a double national champion. I’ve been at home on that track ever since.”

Suriyage’s racing portfolio even includes international experience in the Asian and British motorcycle championships. Though he acknowledges the technological gap – “Man versus machine is real; we didn’t have the bikes or budgets the Europeans had” – he doesn’t view those stints as failures.

“I went to learn. I watched, I observed, and I brought that knowledge back.”

His decision to return and invest in local racing was intentional. “International racing is attractive, but if everyone leaves, who builds the scene here? I wanted to be part of the foundation.”

He has since returned to car racing, starting in 2022, and now competes at the top level in the SLS 3500cc category. “My car is over 30 years old and doesn’t have any electronics, but I’ve been able to win consistently and even post lap times close to SLGT, Sri Lanka’s premier category.”

His sights are now set on SLGT. “That’s the dream. It’ll take top-tier machinery, but I’m working closely with my idol Ashan Silva to get there.”

Even with all his achievements, Suriyage’s focus is on the journey, not the trophy shelf. “Winning is great for sponsors, but what motivates me is improving every day. I learned more from losing my first four years than from any victory.”

His physical discipline — maintaining a race-ready 68kg for over eight years during his biking career — is a testament to his mindset. Today, with the transition to cars, he channels that same discipline into reaction training and mental sharpness.

Sangeeth Suriyage with his idol Ashan Silva

Suriyage’s bigger ambition lies in mentoring future racers. “I used to host track days for bikers. With cars, it’s more complex logistically, but I want to build a training programme to pass on what I’ve learned. The kind of exposure I didn’t get – I want others to have.”

He’s also outspoken about the lack of institutional support. “Even the Sports Minister has never attended a race. Motorsports is self-funded in Sri Lanka. No subsidies, no real backing. Just a permission letter if you want to race abroad. That needs to change.”

As a self-made athlete in an underappreciated sport, Suriyage’s story is a reminder that talent alone is never enough. “Discipline is everything – your diet, your sleep, your mindset. Motorsports isn’t just about speed. During a bike race, my heart rate would go over 200 BPM. It’s physically brutal.”

His advice to young hopefuls is both practical and profound: “Don’t chase wins. Chase progress. Wins come and go. What stays is how you grew.”

In an arena dominated by horsepower, it’s clear that Sangeeth Suriyage’s greatest engine is his heart.