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)
Playing just his second Test and the first in his team’s starting XI, Pasindu Sooriyabandara made Sri Lanka dream of the rarest of possibilities, but reality imposed itself on the SSC late on day four as India regained their grip on a Test match that had seemed to spiral out of control after the threat of bad weather led them to enforce the follow-on.
After Sooriyabandara put on 58 with Kamil Mishara for the second wicket and 115 with Kamindu Mendis for the third, Sri Lanka were at one stage 209 for 3, or just four runs behind with seven second-innings wickets in hand, on a day-four pitch that was still looking excellent for batting. India’s bowlers were into their 149th over across two consecutive innings, and looking short of both penetration and inspiration against a top order that had never allowed them to settle into their lengths.
Just then, however, Manav Suthar, who had borne the brunt of Sri Lanka’s positive intent, dismissed Dhananjaya de Silva and then Sooriyabandara in the space of two overs, the latter out eight short of a maiden Test hundred. Soon after, Saransh Jain trapped Niroshan Dickwella lbw, and Sri Lanka were effectively 5 for 6. By the time rain arrived to bring an early end to the day, Sri Lanka’s seventh-wicket pair had only added a further 11 runs to their tally.
If Sri Lanka still retain any hope going into the final day of this series, it will rest on the shoulders of Sonal Dinusha, batting on 7 in his final innings of a remarkable series. Earlier in the day, he had converted his overnight 85 into his second century of the series, with his only other completed innings bringing him 84.
Scores:
Sri Lanka 290 in 89.4 overs (Pasindu Sooriyabandara 80, Sonal Dinusha 103; Prasidh Krishna 3-52, Manav Suthar 3-85) and 229 for 6 in 72.4 overs (f/o) (Pasindu Sooriyabandara 92, Kamindu Mendis 55, Sonal Dinusha 7*; Manav Suthar 2-81) lead India 503 for 9 dec by 16 runs
[Cricinfo]
- Confirmation of the minutes of the 94th Annual General Meeting of BCCI held on September 28, 2025, at BCCI Headquarters, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- Election and induction of 2 (two) representatives of the General Body in the Governing Council of the IPL.
- Induction of 1 (one) representative of the Indian Cricketer’s Association in the Governing Council of the IPL.
- Adoption of the Report of the Secretary for the year 2025-26 under review.
- Copies of the audited Statement of Accounts of BCCI for the year FY 2025-2026 including schedule for any tour or tours.
- Adoption of the Treasurer’s Report and the audited accounts for the year FY 2025-2026.
- Adoption of the Annual Budget for FY 2026-27.
- Appointment of the Auditor or Auditors for FY 2026-27 and fix their remuneration.
- Appointment of the Ombudsman and Ethics Officer.
- Appointment of the Standing Committees, Cricket Committees and Umpire Committee as mentioned in Rules 25, 26 and 27 respectively.
- Consideration of:(a) The Report and recommendations of the Apex Council, the CEO and the Committees and to propose policy directions to the Apex Council.(b) The Report and recommendations of the Governing Council and to propose policy directions to the Governing Council.(c) The reports of the Ombudsman and Ethics Officer and any recommendations made therein.
- Report of the Internal Committee of BCCI formed under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Policy.
- Grant of Associate Membership to Cricket Association Andaman & Nicobar Island for the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
- Consideration of any motion, notice whereof is given by a Full Member to the Secretary, 21 (twenty-one) days before the meeting.
- To appoint the BCCI’s Representative or Representatives on the International Cricket Council and/or any similar organization.
- Ratification of rules framed by the Apex Council, in terms of Rule 15 of BCCI’s Rules and Regulations.
- Consideration of any business, which the President may consider necessary to be included in the agenda.
- Transaction of any other business of an informal character as may be permitted by the Chairperson.
UPDATE: Flash flood on Nepal-Tibet border kills more than 100, with hundreds of tourists missing
At least eight killed, hundreds missing after Nepal flash flood
India close in despite Sooriyabandara, Kamindu fifties
Advisory for High Waves for the sea areas extending from Colombo to Pottuvil via Galle, Matara and Hambantota
We must create social awareness to ensure the physical and mental well-being of children with disabilities – PM
BCCI AGM set for September 18 in Mumbai
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News6 days agoCountry’s first woman Surveyor General appointed
-
Business5 days agoSriLankan Airlines makes ShakthiSAT Mission possible for talented Sri Lankan student
-
Sports7 days agoTharanga, Weber headline stellar Lausanne javelin field
-
Features6 days agoMedical education in Sri Lanka: Then and now
-
Business7 days agoMannar’s offshore opportunity: the dollar question behind Sri Lanka’s oil and gas search
-
Latest News5 days agoImran Khan moved to private hospital amid deteriorating health
-
Latest News6 days agoGovernment has declared 21, 22 and 23 August 2026 as national days of mourning
-
Features4 days agoMy secondary schooling after Royal Primary