Meet Kaveen Rajapaksa and Aadam Junaid — the young Sri Lankan duo making waves in the Indian racing circuit

Kaveen Rajapaksa (centre) and Aadam Junaid (left) have been regular podium partners over the last few years. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

When Kaveen Rajapaksa climbed onto the top step of the rookies’ podium in a Levitas Cup race, he draped the Sinha flag around himself. As photographers waited for the three podium finishers to gather on the top step and pose for a photo, Kaveen’s attention was elsewhere.

After a few failed attempts, the 16-year-old managed to envelop compatriot and second-place finisher Aadam Junaid within the breadth of the flag before the picture was eventually taken. It was no doubt one of the highlight moments on Day 1 of the second round of the CTR-JK Tyre FMSCI Indian National Car Racing Championship 2026 at the Kari Motor Speedway in Coimbatore.

Kaveen Rajapaksa and Aadam Junaid both finished on the podium in the Levitas Cup race. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Days like these are becoming increasingly regular for these two adolescent Sri Lankan racing drivers. It wasn’t long ago that they were taking their first steps in karting in Colombo. Now, they are fighting at the top end of the field in both the Levitas and the Novice Cup categories. The racing, along with the nool parotta and the biryani, is helping the duo settle right in.

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Aadam is no stranger to the Indian motorsport community. His father, Shafraz Junaid, was a pioneering rally driver from the island nation and had even finished on the podium in the Coffee Day India Rally 2017, the final round of the FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship held in Chikmagalur. Kaveen, though, is venturing into uncharted territory for himself and his family.

“I was not a motorsports fan. Once we started watching Drive to Survive, suddenly things changed. It was just, as it came, there was no big plan. He did well at everything he went into. I just keep supporting wherever I can,” said Kaveen’s father, Dilshan Rajapaksa, a footwear businessman from Colombo.

Kaveen during the IAME Karting series in Sri Lanka. | Photo Credit: Instagram (@kaveenrajapaksa)

“Shafraz being there has been a great help. We’ve always been discussing and doing things together. I don’t think I could have done all this without him,” he added.

On the other hand, Aadam’s tryst with motorsport began when he jumped into a simulator his dad had made for himself. Both drivers made their first foray into four-stroke karting during the COVID-19-induced lockdown before eventually shifting to the two-stroke. They were part of Team Mora (meaning shark in Sinhalese), a karting team set up by Shafraz, which participated in the IAME series in Sri Lanka.

Aadam finished on the podium in the first round of the competiton in October. | Photo Credit: Instagram (@aadamjunaid_16)

The opportunity to race in India came through Momentum Motorsports, a Chennai-based company led by Rashid Khan, a former FMSCI race official. He invited the two racers to participate in a karting academy programme.

“In Sri Lanka, they don’t have a proper circuit. I invited them to come and train here. They understood the sport very well. When we teach them, they go and implement that on the track. We could see they have something unique,” said Rashid.

Aadam participated in the F1300 Novice category through the season last year. Kaveen, on the other hand, returned to Sri Lanka to participate in a series there after just one round. With the Levitas Cup, which involves Saloon cars, added to their roster this season, the boys are constantly widening their base in motorsport.

“Last year, I was happy with just finishing within the top 10, but now I want to be finishing within the top three because I’ve become more competitive and my driving has also improved, so I want to be fighting for championships,” Aadam explained.

The duo has their eyes set on the next chapter of their racing career: the Formula 2000 and the Indian F4. But it is easier said than done. Rashid says the F1300 is the most economical single-seater category available. The next levels get progressively more expensive.

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“If I knew at the start how expensive this is going to be, I would have changed his mind,” Dilshan said with a wry smile. “He wants to do Formula 2000. He wanted to do it last time. I said, no, let’s take it easy and do it slowly. He’s also selective. He’s quite aware of the cost.”

However, if the two teenagers continue to bag podiums and prolong the solid start they have had to the championship this year, it could open the door to more investment through sponsorships. Then, maybe the two can dream a little longer.

(The writer is in Coimbatore upon the invitation of JK Tyre)

Published on Nov 15, 2026

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