Goonethilleka crowned champion for second consecutive year, teen Liyanage wins first title

Buwaneka Goonethileka

Ranithma Liyanage

Buwanka Goonethilleka successfully defended his singles title while bagging a triple crown as 15-year-old Ranithma Liyanage clinched her maiden open women’s title at the 70th National Badminton Championships hosted by Sri Lanka Badminton.

In the open men’s singles final which took place at the Sugathadasa Stadium, Goonethilleka defeated Viren Neththasinghe in straight sets (21-18, 21-16) to clinch back-to-back National titles. Goonethilleka, ranked 100th in the BWF Men’s Doubles standings, then teamed up with his regular partner Sachin Dias to beat Dumindu Abeywickrama and Ashinsa Herath 21-16, 21-11 in the Open Men’s Doubles. 

Then he went on to clinch his third title at this year’s Championships when he partnered with Kavindi Sirimannage in the Mixed Doubles as they beat Thulith Palliyaguru and ButhmI Galagamage 21-13, 21-15. 

Meanwhile, the young sensation Liyanage beat Madhushika Beruwalage in straight sets (21-8, 21-16) to clinch her maiden Open National Singles title. Earlier, the Christ Church Girls’ College student had won the Open Women’s Doubles title when she teamed up with Kavindi Sirimannage to beat Buthmi Galagamage and Madhushika Beruwalage in straight sets (21-9, 21-14) in the final.

The presentation ceremony was held with Sports Development Director General Amal Edirisuriya as the chief guest in the presence of Sri Lanka Badminton President Rohan de Silva, SLB officials and former players.

Finals

• Over-30 Men’s Singles: Champion – Supun Piyaratne, Runner-up – Viren Neththasinghe 
• Over-30 Women’s Singles: Champion – Nadeesha Gayathri, Runner-up – Ruwini Rathnasiri
• Over-30 Men’s Doubles: Champions – Hasitha Chanaka/K.A.G.A.K. Perera, Runner-up – Chameera Bandara/Charith Haridhu 
• Over-30 Mixed Doubles: Champions – Roshan Kumara/Ruwini Rathnasiri, Runners-up – Dulana Kaluarachchachi/Sandamali Senananayke 
• Over-35 Men’s Singles: Champion – Roshan Kumara, Runner-up – Charith Haridhu
• Over-35 Men’s Doubles: Champions – Roshan Kumara/Anushka Lakshan, Runners-up – Sumudu Kumarasinghe/Prasad Perera
• Over-40 Men’s Singles: Champion – Hemantha Kodithuwakku, Runner-up – Nalin Weerakoon
• Over-40 Men’s Doubles: Champions – K.P. Randika Peiris/Eranda Samaranayake, Runners-up – Rajitha Guruge/Sumudu Silva
• Over- 45 Men’s Singles: Champion – Subhash Janaka, Runner-up – C.A.D. Samantha 
• Over-45 Women’s Singles: Champion – Priyanka Abeyrathna, Runner-up – Anusha Gamage
• Over-45 Men’s Doubles: Champions – Clarence Homer/Duminda Jayakody, Runners-up – Kanchana Ekanayake/Dhammika Wanigasekara
• Over-45 Women’s Doubles: Champions – Vipuli Abeysekara/Ranjini Senevirathne, Runners-up – Thushari Brahmanage/Enoka Shriani
• Over-45 Mixed Doubles: Champions – Janath Fernando/Renu Chandrika, Runners-up – Senaka Athanayake/Enoka Shriani 
• Over-50 Men’s Singles: Champion – Nihal Amarasena, Runner-up – Upendra Jayawardane 
• Over-50 Women’s Singles: Champion – Vipuli Abeysekara, Runner-up – Enoka Shriani
• Over-50 Men’s Doubles: Champions – Nihal Amarasena/Upendra Jayawardane, Runners-up – Kamal Gamalth/Niroshan Wijekoon
• Over-55 Men’s Singles: Champion – Niroshan Wijekoon, Runner-up – Aruna Krishantha
• Over-55 Men’s Doubles: Champions – Aruna Krishantha/Lasantha, Runners-up – Rohitha Fernando/Senaka Wickramasinghe 
• Over-60 Men’s Doubles: Champions – Louis Karunaratne/Mohan Wijesinghe, Runners-up – Clarence Silva/Abeykoon Bandara
• Over-65 Men’s Singles: Champion – Gamini Jayawardane, runner-up – Sunil Jayasiri
• Disabled Men’s Singles: Champion – Sanjeewa Perera, runner-up – Denzil Fernando
• Plate Women’s Singles: Champion – Anuthmi Sooriyabandara, Runner-up – Sandamali Senanayake 
• Plate Male Singles: Champion – Viran Perera, Runner-up – Akila Fernando
• Plate Women’s Doubles: Champions – Kavindi Sirimannage/Ranithma Liyanage, Runners-up – Madhushika Beruwalage/Buthmi Galagamage
• Open Men’s Doubles: Champions – Sachin Dias/ Buwanaka Goonethilleka, Runners-up – Dumindu Abeywickrama/Ashinsa Herath
• Open Mixed Doubles: Champions – Buwanaka Goonethilleka /Kavindi Sirimamannage, Runners-up – Thulin Palliyaguru/Buthmi Galagamage
• Open Women’s Singles: Champion – Ranithma Liyanage, Runner-up – Madhushika Beruwalage 
• Open Men’s Singles: Champion – Buwanaka Goonethilleka, Runner-up – Viren Neththasinghe