Buwaneka, Thilini win singles crowns at NCP Open

Two of Sri Lanka’s most promising shuttlers, Buwaneka Goonethilleka and Thilini Hendahewa emerged singles champions while Sachin Dias and Dilmi Dias made highlights at the North Central Province (NCP) Open Badminton Tournament in Anuradhapura last week.

Goonethilleka defeated top seeded Ranthushka Karunathilake in straight sets (21-14, 21-17) to clinch the title in style. 

Goonathilaka, seeded second at the NCP Open, reached the final following a thrilling three setter (19-21, 21-7, 21-14) against Madhuka Dulanjana, while Karunathilake, last year’s national singles finalist, defeated Lochana Oshan De Silva in the semi-final (21-19, 21-12).

The women’s final saw the battle between the current and former national champions. Six-time national title holder and the defending champion, Hendahewa beat a three-time national champion, Achini rathnasiri in the final 21-15, 21-18 to walk away with the singles title.

Hendahewa reached the final by defeating Kavindika Binari De Silva quite easily (21-12, 21-9) while Achini Nimeshika Rathnasiri outplayed second seeded Dilmi Dias 

21-15, 21-14 to book the berth in the final. 

In the men’s doubles final, Sachin Dias and Goonethilleka, ranked 144th in the world, beat Hasitha Chanaka and R S Kasun 21-16, 21-16 while Achini and Upuli Weerasinghe defeated Kavindika De Silva and Dilmi Dias (21-12, 21-12) to lift the women’s doubles title. 

The mixed doubles final saw Sachin and Hendahewa, ranked 177th in the world, winning against Madhuka Dulanjana and Dilmi Dias with a margin of 21-8, 21-15.

Earlier, Dilmi Dias went on to win the girls’ u19 singles title as well as the doubles final in the same age class, partnered by Anurangi Hansamali Masakorala.

Over 1000 shuttlers were in action during the six-day event which took place at the Anuradhapura Urban Council courts and the Mike Cooke Indoor Badminton Stadium under nine age groups.

North Central Province Badminton Association organised the event on a majestic scale under the supervision of Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB). Parakrama Basnayake, Vice President of SLB, graced the inauguration ceremony as the chief guest.

Results

• Men’s Singles

Buwaneka Goonethilleka beat Ranthushka Karunathilake (21-17, 21-11)

• Women’s Singles

Thilini Hendahewa beat Achini Rathnasiri (21-15, 21-18)

• Mens’ Doubles

Sachin Dias/Buwaneka Goonethilleka beat Hasitha Chanaka/R S Kasun (21-16, 21-16)

• Women’s Doubles 

Achini Nimeshika Rathnasiri/Upuli Weerasinghe beat Kavindika Binari De Silva/Dilmi Dias (21-12, 21-12)  

• Mixed Doubles

Sachin Dias/Thilini Hendahewa beat Madhuka Dulanjana/Dilmi Dias (21-8, 21-15) 

• Boys’ Singles – U11

Wedaka Gomes beat Samiru Hansaka Ranasinghe (15-11, 15-9) 

• Girls Singles – U11

Nethmi Amaya Ratnayake beat Vishwanie Wanniarachchi (15-5, 15-8)

• Boys’ Singles – U13

Hiruka Sahanmith beat Thidasa Irushika Weragoda (15-10, 11-15, 15-10)

• Girls’ Singles – U13

Sithuki Onadee A Gunawardana beat Chiranya Jayawardana (15-9, 15-12) 

• Boys’ Doubles – U13

Pamith Bandara Attanayake/Thidasa Irushika Weragoda beat Rithira Sendil Abayagunawardana/Thenul Ransaja Ganewatta (15-13, 10-15, 15-12) 

• Girls’ Doubles – U13

Sithuki Onadee A Gunawardana/Komuthu Kethnara Kumarapperuma beat Sandhathi Dewmini Hewa Gallage/Chiranya Jayawardana (21-20, 11-15, 15-12)

• Boys’ Singles – U15

Sanjana Sanjana Devasurendra beat Sineth Manthuka Rupathunga (17-21, 21-16, 22-20)

• Girls’ Singles – U15

Rashmi Bhagya Mudalige beat Isuri De Alwis (22-20, 22-20)

• Boys’ Doubles – U15

Iman Delpachithra/K.B.S. Kaushalya beat Luwin Kodippili/Vidush Ravishma Sumanadasa (21-16, 21-16)

• Girls’ Doubles – U15

Maneesha Abhimani Jayawardhana/Samindi Onel Kalanasooriya Arachchige beat 

Irushi Amandi Hewa Gallage/Nethanga Vindini (21-10, 21-9)

• Boys’Singles – U17

Dumindu Abeywickrama beat Savinaka Nethmin Weerasekara (21-9, 21-11)

• Girls’ Singles – U17

Vidara Suhasni Vidanage beat Chamudi Abeywickrama (17-21, 21-11, 21-3)

• Boys’ Doubles – U17

Madhubhanu Kariyawasam/Oshamika Karunarathna beat Dumindu Abeywickrama/Manura De Alwis (21-17, 11-21, 23-21)

• Girls’ Doubles - U17

Suwani Muthumali/Vidara Suhasni Vidanage beat Kivini Sulara Jayasooriya/Thisuni Midara Liyanarachchi (21-16, 21-16) 

• Boys’ Singles – U19

Thulith Thewmika Palliyaguru beat Nadun Punchihewa (21-16, 19-21, 21-12) 

• Girls’ Singles – U19

Dilmi Dias beat Jananuwani Amanda (21-9, 21-9)

• Boys’ Doubles – U19

Chamath Kavinda Dias/Chirath Santhush Illeperumachchi beat Lochana Oshan De Silva/Thulith Thewmika Palliyaguru (12-21, 21-16, 24-22) 

• Girls’ Doubles – U19

Dilmi Dias/Anurangi Hansamali Masakorala beat Jananuwani Amanda/Chathuli Ishara (21-11, 21-11) 

• Men’s Singles – Over 35

Kodithuwakku Hemantha (WO) 

• Men’s Singles - Over 40

Upendra Jayawardena beat Nihan Ranasinghe (21-13, 21-8) 

• Men’s Doubles – Over 40

Subash Janaka/Duminda Jayakody beat Upendra Jayawardena/Sahan Pradeep (21-14, 21-15) 

• Men’s Singles – Over 50

Clarence Homer beat Darshana Senarathna (retired) 

• Men’s Doubles – Over 50

Clarence Homer/Darshana Senarathna beat Mangala Gamage/Kamal Gamlath (21-12, 21-10) 

• Men’s Singles – Over 55

Janath Rohan Fernando beat Jayath Wickramasinghe (21-15, 21-16) 

• Men’s Singles – Over 60

Louie Karunarathna beat Parakrama Basnayake (21-15, 21-5)

• Men’s Doubles – Over 60 

Rohan De Silva/Louie Karunaratne beat Parakrama Basnayake/W.M. Ariyasena (21-7, 21-17)