[1] He is a two-time Olympian (2000 and 2004), a three-time swimmer at the Commonwealth Games (2002, 2006, 2010), and a double gold medalist in the 50 and 100 m butterfly at the Asian Age Group Championships.

Francis also became the first Sri Lankan to swim the same stroke under 56 seconds, when he competed at the 2004 FINA World Short Course Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana.

[3] At the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Francis qualified again for the 100 m butterfly, by receiving a Universality place from FINA, in an invitation time of 56.36.

[4] He challenged seven other swimmers on the second heat, including fellow two-time Olympians Daniel O'Keeffe and Nicholas Rees of the Bahamas.

[5][6] Francis previously resided in Melbourne, Australia, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in sports development, management, and recreation at Swinburne University of Technology.