Angampora: Pandula’s goal to achieve a healthy and fit nation
View(s):A Doctor by profession Pandula Basnayake is a man of many interests, excelling in the field of medicine, he believes in experimenting in different fields. Adventures and challenges aren’t something new for him.
Known for his fitness addiction and good looks, this doctor has found a new passion. At a very young age, he was fascinated by the local martial art Angampora. The fading art caught his attention a few years ago since then he has master the art. Through Angampora he wants to promote a healthy workout and wellbeing and enlighten the Sri Lankan community about the forgotten vast knowledge and philosophy behind the art.
Pandula is working with organisations to implement a healthy bodybuilding lifestyle, without the use of performance enhancing drugs which are commonly known as steroids. ‘Promoting a drug-free environment in the fitness and bodybuilding field has always been a mission of mine’ he said.
‘Angampora is a fading art, this amazing Sinhalese martial art has lost its prominence. Many don’t know the benefits of learning this art. I am still a novice and have a long way to go. I hope to learn more through practical engagement and research and may possibly share my knowledge in the future.
Working at the eye unit of the Teaching Hospital in Kandy, he sets his sights on other pursuits in his free time.
‘I am a very competitive fitness athlete and bodybuilder, since my schooldays I wanted to get into athletics. When I started my medical career, my fondness for bodybuilding grew further’.
Having won many accolades for his bodybuilding skills, from 2011 to 2017 at the ‘Mr Sri Lanka Competition’ always winning his weight class and competing in the finals against some tough competitors. Pandula has always been a winner and holds a black belt in Taekwondo inwhich he was awarded a gold medal at the Korean Cup 2014. Having these to his credit, he has chosen to train in Angampora.
He wants to study Sri Lankan heritage and history, to research and promote Lanka’s heritage when he represents the country at international competitions. In 2019. Pandula will be preparing for the national bodybuilding championships.