Savinaka and Ranithma emerge champions

Savinaka Weerasekara of D.S Senanayake Vidyalaya Colombo and Ranithma Liyanage of Christ church College Baddegama emerged open men’s and women’s single champions at the Summer Season All Island Badminton Championship conducted by the Central Province Badminton Association in collaboration with Sri Lanka Badminton and worked off at Municipal Indoor Stadium Nuwara Eliya on Saturday(30).

The seven day tournament was highly successful with many participants competed at this hard period.

Savinaka Weerasekara the bottom seed player made three setter game to beat 16-year-old Royalist Aashinsa Herath the top seed at the men’s open final.

Savinaka made an early lead to win the first set 21/13 while Ashinsa won the second set 21/17 to equal the game. However Savinaka fought back strongly to take lead to win the deciding set 21/13 to bag the title.

Earlier in the men’s semi finals Aashinsa beat Chamath Dias 21/17, 23/25, 21/14 while Savinaka made three setter game 21/19, 18/21, 21/14 over Lochana de the Silva to enter the final .

Men’s champion Savinaka Weerasekara receving the champions challenge trophy from Nuwara Eliya Mayor Chandana Lal Karunaratne.

Meanwhile 16-year-old present National champion Ranithma Liyanage once again highlighted in this tournament as she outclassed Hasara Wijerathne at the women’s final. Ranithma won the first set 21/12 while second set was more competitive and Hasara won 21/ 18 to equal the game. Ranithma used her experience to win the deciding set 21/12 to win the title.

Ranithma beat Rashmi Mudalige 21/15,21/17 while Hasara beat Praveena Jayasundara 23/21,21/10 at the women’s singles semis.

The women’s doubles final won by Buddhima Galagamage partnered with Nadeesha Gayanthi defeating Rashmi Mudalige and Thiyara Widanarachhi 21/19,20/22,21/17.

Lochana de Silva partnered with Rashintha de Silva won the men’s doubles final defeating Oshamika Karunaratne and Thulith Palliyaguru 21/17, 22/20. The mixed doubles final was won by Thulith Palliyaguru and Buddima Galagamage defeating Chamath Dias and Nathasha Gunasekara 21/14 , 21/15.

Sri Lanka Badminton President Rohan De Silva , Central province Badminton Association President Mahinda Dodampagamage, Central Province Badminton Secretary Chamara Aluthge and Nuwara Eliya Mayor Chandana Lal Karunaratne were the special guests at the awards ceremony. The winners received medals certificates and challenge trophies at this awards ceremony. Sri Lankan senior players Buwanaka Gunathileka, Sachin Dias, Thilini Hendahewa , Viren Nettasinghe, Duminda Abeywickrama were not take part at this tournament while Dinuka Karunaratne also away in England and yougesters had good opportunity to show their skills during this seven day tournament.