Sports
Viren and Ranithma clinch double titles at Badminton Nationals
Viren Nettasinghe and Ranithma Liyanage lived up to their billing to win double titles as they won the open singles and doubles finals at the 72nd National Badminton Championship, concluded at the MCA Indoor Courts in Colombo on Sunday.
Nettasinghe claimed the open men’s singles title, while Ranithma pocketed the open women’s singles crown. When they paired up they emerged victorious in the mixed doubles as well.
The eight-day competition held at the Mercantile Badminton Association (MBA) Indoor Courts, the Otter Aquatic Club Courts and at the SLB Indoor Courts was organised and conducted by Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB).
Olympian Nettasinghe beat Shenuk Samararatne in straight sets in the men’s singles final (21-10, 21-19).
Sri Lanka’s top seed women’s shuttler, Ranithma Liyanage, after her heroics at the recent international series in Bahrain, continued her form to beat Rashmi Mudalige in straight sets (21-10, 21-16) in the singles final.
Ranithma has had a decent run against Rashmi in the recent competitions, both home and abroad, and she proved her might by claiming the open women’s singles title for the second consecutive year.
Buwaneka Goonathilake, who claimed a triple crown at last year’s Nationals, settled for the open men’s doubles title, partnering Jason Homer. Buwaneka and Jason beat Shenuk Samararatne and Savinaka Weerasekara in straight sets (21-14, 21-16).
Varangana Jayawardena and Rashmi Mudalige turned tables on favourites Ranithma Liyanage and Praveena Wijesundara to clinch the open women’s doubles title, after a gripping final that ended 2-1.
Varangana and Rashmi thwarted Ranithma from claiming a deserving triple crown, by sending an early warning in the first set that ended 21-17 in favour of the eventual winners. However, Ranithma and Praveena bounced back to level, winning the second set by 21-19, promising a thrilling finale. The third set went down to the wire before Varangana and Rashmi clinched a 24-22 win.
In the mixed doubles Viren Nettasinghe and Ranithma Liyanage beat specialists Thulith Palliyaguru and Panchali Adhikari 2-1 (21-15, 21-17 and 21-19).
The championships featured wide range of events from Under-11 to Under-19 in the Junior category and Over-30 to Over-70 in the Senior category, as well as the combined age category of 100+, 110+ and 120+.
A grand prize money of Rs.2 million for all events based on the number of entries were awarded, in addition to trophies, medals and certificates to the winners, runners-up and semi-finalists of each event. Junior winners received appropriate gifts instead of prize money, according to the decision taken by the tournament organisers.
Director General of Sports, Rear Admiral (Rtd) Prof. Shemal Fernando presented the trophies to the winners as chief guest alongside President Rohan de Silva and members of SLB. The country’s elite domestic badminton event, conducted in accordance to BWF regulations, was sponsored by Li Ning, McFoil, 3M, GAC and Mobil.
Results of finals
Open Men’s Singles:
Viren Nettasinghe beat Shenuk Samararatne 2-0 (21/10, 21/19)
Open Women’s Singles:
Ranithma Liyanage beat Rashmi Mudalige 2-0 (21/10, 21/16)
Open Men’s Doubles:
Buwaneka Goonathilake/Jason Homer beat Shenuk Samararatne/Savinaka Weerasekara 2-0 (21/14, 21/16)
Open Women’s Doubles:
Varanjana Jayawardena/Rashmi Mudalige beat Ranithma Liyanage/Praveena Wijesundara 2-1 (21/17, 19/21, 24/22)
Open Mixed Doubles:
Viren Nettasinghe/Ranithma Liyanage beat Thulith Palliyaguru/Panchali Adhikari 2-1 (15/21, 21/17, 21/19)
by Rex Clementine
India are closing in on a big win at SSC after Sri Lanka slumped to 229 for six at stumps on day four of the second Test having been forced to follow on yesterday.
Sri Lanka lead by just 16 runs with four wickets in hand and with three sessions remaining, the tourists will be looking to wrap up victory and complete a 2-0 series sweep. India won the first Test in Galle by 165 runs.
Sonal Dinusha, who batted superbly for a hundred in the first innings, was unbeaten on seven when rain brought play to a premature end. With Sri Lanka now into the tail, Dinusha has his work cut out. He has been the hosts’ standout performer in the series, having also made 100 and 84 in Galle.
Sri Lanka resumed the day on 265 for eight, still needing 39 runs to avoid the follow on, but were bowled out for 290 and asked to bat again.
Although they lost both openers early, Kamindu Mendis and Pasindu Sooriyabandara gave Sri Lanka hope with a 115 run stand for the third wicket.
Sooriyabandara, who had made 80 in the first innings, once again played spin superbly, using clever footwork, while Mendis took on the fast bowlers.
But India had plenty of runs on the board and persisted with the short ball against Mendis, stationing three fielders on the boundary. Eventually, the plan paid off. Mendis took on Mohammed Siraj and perished for 55, with captain Shubman Gill running in from square leg to complete a fine catch.
That was the breakthrough India desperately wanted and the spinners quickly turned the screws. Three wickets fell for just nine runs as Sri Lanka surrendered the initiative and India regained control.
Sooriyabandara missed out on a well deserved hundred when he charged Manav Suthar. The left-arm spinner cleverly fired the ball wide, leaving the batter stranded as Rishabh Pant whipped off the bails in a flash. Sooriyabandara’s 92 came off 173 balls and contained ten fours and a six.
Having spent considerable time in the field, India’s bowlers were beginning to tire, evident from the number of loose deliveries they sent down. But Sri Lanka’s batters lacked the patience to drive home the advantage, with several throwing away their wickets just when the hosts appeared to be clawing their way back into the contest.
Sri Lanka Air Force emerged Overall Champions in both the Men’s and Women’s categories at the 14th Defence Services Badminton Championship concluded successfully on 21 August 2026 at the Sri Lanka Army Indoor Sports Complex, Panagoda.
The SLAF Men’s Team secured the Open Men’s Doubles and Men’s Team Championships, while the Women’s Team excelled by winning the Open Women’s Singles, Open Women’s Doubles and Women’s Team Championships.
In the Open Men’s Doubles, Leading Aircraftman Lochana De Silva and Aircraftman Achintha Imeshaqe secured the championship, while Aircraftwoman Praveena Wijesundara and Aircraftwoman Anurangi Masakorala claimed the Open Women’s Doubles title with Aircraftwoman Praveena Wijesundara winning the Open Women’s Singles Championship.
Major General Mohan Premaratne, President of the Sri Lanka Army Badminton Federation, was the Chief Guest at the awards ceremony while SLAF’s Director Sports Air Commodore Prabath Dissanayake, former Chairman Badminton Sri Lanka Air Force Air Commodore Poojana Gunathilake, Secretary Air Force Sports Council Group Captain Eranda Geeganage and Secretary Badminton Sri Lanka Air Force Wing Commander Thushara Wijeratne. were also present.
Malki Madara and Shashini Fernando shared nine wickets between them to help Sri Lanka Air Force Women beat Chilaw Marians Cricket Club Women by 169 runs and propel their team to the semi finals of the Major Club Womens Limited Over cricket tournament conducted by Sri Lanka Cricket.
In the game played at their home ground in Katunayake on Monday [24], Sri Lanka Air Force posted 276 runs for the loss of eight wickets with Ashani Kaushalya topping the score card with 57 runs off 81 balls with ten hits to the ropes.Sasini Alwis and Wethumya Wijesuriya captured three wickets each.
Chasing 277 to win Shashini Fernando captured five wickets while Malki Madara captured four wickets to restrict the Chilaw Marians Cricket Club Women to 107. Skipper Sanduni Nisansala scored 38 off 61 balls with four boundaries and a six.
Sri Lankan Air Force Women will meet Panadura Sports Club Women for the semi-final at the LRDC ground on Friday (28)
Scores:
Sri Lanka Air Force Women 276/8 in 50 overs [Ashani Kawshalya 57, Malsha Shehani 32, Savindi Cooray 34*; Sasini Alwis 2-48, Wethumya Wijesuriya 2-67]
Chilaw Marians Cricket Club Women 107/10 in 43.5 overs [Sanduni Nisansala 38; Malki Madara 4-14, Shashini Fernando 5-09]
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