Hundred Sri Lanka International Series 2025

Sri Lanka’s Buwaneka Goonethilleka advanced to the round of 16 of the men’s singles in the Hundred Sri Lanka International Series 2025, which is underway at the St. Joseph’s College Indoor Complex, Darley Road. Buwaneka, currently ranked 1032 in the world, will meet Malaysia’s Darrell Chew, BWF ranked 225, in the pre-quarter-final clash on the third day of the six-day international competition, sanctioned by Badminton World Federation (BWF) and Badminton Asia (BA).

On Wednesday, Buwaneka outsmarted Henrikho Kho of Indonesia in straight sets, as the Sri Lankan regained his momentum after a long lapse. Unseeded Buwaneka proved his competence by handing Kho, seeded No.8 in the competition and 177 in the world, 21/7 and 21/15 to record a comprehensive victory on his way to reach the next level. His opponent in the pre-quarter-final, Chew, recorded a similar win, but was given a stiff competition by Indian Shantanu Sharma, before going down by 21/9 and 22/20.

Earlier, Buwaneka indicated his intention of reaching a podium finish, after defeating Siddgartga Mishra of India 2-1 in the Round of 64. Buwaneka claimed the first set 21/15, but Mishra recovered to level the game after winning the second set 21/14. The Sri Lankan put matters beyond his opponent’s reach with a resounding 21/9 win in the third set to move forward.

One of Sri Lanka’s hopefuls, Dumindu Abeywickrama, seeded third in the tournament, lost to Eu Cong Low of Malaysia 2-1 in the men’s singles round of 32 clash, which dragged beyond 70 minutes. Dumindu, BWF ranked 147, claimed the first set, but the world 531 ranked unseeded Low, made a remarkable comeback to win the remaining two sets by 21/13 and 21/15. Dumindu recorded a straight sets win against India’s Arya Bhivpathaki, after a close battle where the Sri Lankan scored 21/19 and 21/19.

Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB) hosts nearly 260 players from 16 nations at the six-day competition which culminates on March 8. A total prize money of USD 5,000 is on offer at the Hundred Sri Lanka International Series 2025 which is sponsored by Hundred, LiNing, Mobil, McFoil and 3M.

Sankha Atukorale and Aneesha Lahir won the Men’s and Women’s singles titles at the inaugural ‘Pickleball’ Tournament held on the newly opened Pickelball courts in Negombo.

Pickleball is a racket or paddle sport played indoors and outdoors in which two players (singles) or four players (doubles) use a smooth-faced paddle to hit a perforated, hollow plastic ball over a 34-inch-high (0.86 m) net until one side is unable to return the ball or commits a rule infraction. It was invented in 1965 as a children’s backyard game in the United States, on Bainbridge Island in Washington state. In 2022, Pickleball was named the official state sport of Washington. Aspects of the sport resemble tennis and table tennis on a doubles badminton court.

With over 50 entries total of 145 matches were conducted under a variety of categories split into intermediate and advanced divisions.

The inaugural Pickleball Tournament was hosted by Pipinya Negombo & Jetwing Hotels

RESULTS: 

Sankha Atukorale

Men’s Singles

(Intermediate)

Winner –

Nishendra Ekanayake

Runner Up –

Enon Croos

 Women’s Singles (Intermediate)

Winner –

Aneesha Lahir

Runner Up –

Amani Haniffa

Women’s Doubles

  (Intermediate)

Winners –

Aneesha Lahir & Amani Haniffa

Runners Up –

Mehenaz Zaveer & Loushanie Ranatunga

Men’s Doubles

(Intermediate)

Winners –

Enon Croos & Enrique Engman

Runners Up –

Rajeev Fernando & Dilran Fernando

Men’s Singles

(Advanced) 

Winner –

Sankha Atukorale

Runner Up –

Janith Perera

Mixed Doubles

(Advanced)

Winners –

Sankha Atukorale & Mehenaz Zaveer

Runners Up –

Sahan Attygalle & Aneesha Lahir

Men’s Doubles

(Advanced)

Winners –

Janith Perera & Abishek Augustine

Runners Up –

Tom Armstrong & Sankha Atukorale

Sri Lanka’s iconic Royal Thomian Cricket Encounter returns for its 146th edition from March 6-8 at the Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo.

For the second consecutive year, Finez Furniture & Interior Pvt Ltd, part of FCV Group, serves as the “Official Furniture & Interior Design Partner.”

At the sponsorship presentation, CEO Dhanushka Fernando emphasized Finez’s commitment to tradition and excellence, enhancing both the event’s experience and Sri Lanka’s sporting heritage.