Double Olympian Niluka Karunaratne on Sunday announced his retirement from all local events after winning his 17th national badminton men’s singles title in Colombo.
In the final of the 68th National Championships, the most decorated shuttle in the country, Niluka defeated Ransindu Hendahewa in straight sets (21-17, 21-16) before completing a brilliant double by sharing the men’s doubles title with his brother Dinuka.
The famous Karunaratne brothers defeated Lakindu Ranaweera and Ruhan Wijesinghe 21-17, 23-21 in the final to clinch the title.
Despite the shock announcement, Niluka will continue to focus on international ranking events with the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in mind. The champion shuttler has competed in London and Rio Games and was also the flagbearer for Sri Lanka in the 2012 Games.
On Sunday, in the women’s division, top seed Hasini Ambalangodage lived up to expectations by defeating Hasara Wijerathne 21-14, 21-9 to win the singles crown.
Ambalangodage teamed up with Kavidi Sirimannage to defeat former national singles champion Achini Rathnasiri and Upuli Weerasinghe 21-19, 21-18 to enjoy another golden award at the Nationals.
In the mixed doubles, Buwaneka Goonatilleka and Kavidi Sirimannage emerged victorious over Rajitha Dahanayake and Rathnasiri with a 21-5, 21-14 scoreline. The five-day event which saw some of the exciting finales being played on Sunday at the Sri Lanka Badminton Headquarters following thrilling contests which took place at the Mercantile Badminton Association courts and Otter Aquatic Club.
Results of finals
Men's singles
- Niluka Karunaratne [4] bt Rasindu Hendahewa 21-17, 21-16
Women's singles
- Hasini Ambalangodage [1] bt Hasara Wijayarathne [3] 21-14, 21-9
Men's doubles
- Dinuka Karunaratne, Niluka Karunaratne [3] bt Lakindu Ranaweera, Ruhan Wijesinghe 21-17, 23-21
Women's doubles
- Hasini Ambalangodage, Kavidi Sirimannage bt Achini Rathnasiri, Upuli Weerasinghe [2] 21-19, 21-18
Mixed doubles
- Buwaneka Goonatilleka, Kavidi Sirimannage bt Rajitha Dahanayake, Achini Rathnasiri 21-5, 21-14
Boys' singles U15
- Pulina Wellalage [1] bt Shenuk Samararatne [2] 21-13, 21-12
Girls' singles U15
- Varangana Jayawardana [1] bt Pawani Pemarathna [2] 27-25, 21-18
Boys' doubles U15
- Shenuk Samararatne, Pulina Wellalage [1] bt Thilina Rajakaruna, Thesath Rajapakse [3] 21-8, 21-6
Girls' doubles U15
- Dinethya Jayindi, Dewni Ubesiriwardhana [3] bt Varangana Jayawardana, Neily Tennakoon [2] 21-9, 15-21, 21-11
Boys' singles U17
- Aashinsa Herath [4] bt Sachen Fernando [3] 22-20, 23-2
Girls' singles U17
- Dasithma Jayathilaka bt Pravina Wijesundara [2] 21-16, 21-9
Girls' doubles U17
- Tisuni Midara, Senuji Umagiliyage [2] bt Isuri De Alwis, Natasha Gunasekara [1] 21-12, 24-26, 21-14
Boys' singles U19
- Dumindu Abeywickrama [1] bt Thenuka De Silva [2] 21-9, 21-9
Girls' singles U19
- Jananuwani Amanda [1] Ashini Fernando 21-18, 21-1
Boys' doubles U19
- Lochana De Silva, Thulith Palliyaguru [1] bt Madhubhanu Kariyawasam, Oshamika Karunarathna 21-16, 21-10
Girls' doubles U19
- Jananuwani Amanda, Yeheni Kuruppu bt Sasini Hansamali, Thiyana Vidanaarachchi 24-22, 19-21, 21-9
Men's singles 35
- Hasitha Chanaka bt Nalin Fernando [2] 21-11, 21-7
Men's singles 40
- Subash Janaka [5], Iranda Samaranayake [3] 21-19, 9-21, 21-17
Women's singles 40
- Priyanka Abeyratne [1] bt Thushari Brahamanage [2] 21-6, 21-17
Men's doubles 40
- Thanuja Liyanage, Nihan Ranasinghe bt Shimal Aponso, Saminda Katapearachchi [4] 16-21, 21-15, 21-14
Men's singles 45
- Upendra Jayawardena [2] bt C A D Samantha [1] 21-11, 21-15
Men's doubles 45
- Clarence Homer, Upendra Jayawardena [1] bt Senaka Attanayaka, C A D Samantha 21-9, 21-14
Men's singles 50
- Niroshana Wijekoon [1] bt Nihal Amarasena [2] 21-16, 21-14
Women's singles 50
- Vipuli Abeysekara bt Enoka Jayalath 21-4, 21-9
Men's doubles 50
- Kamal Gamlath, V D K Kaluarachchi bt Nihal Amarasena, Darshana Senarathna [1] 21-14, 21-7
Women's doubles 50
- Vipuli Abeysekara, Kaushali Dissanayake [1] bt Enoka Jayalath, Lakshmi Punchihewa 21-7, 21-16
Men's singles 55
- K G Rohan Fernando bt Jayath Wickramasinghe [4] 16-21, 21-15, 21-18
Men's doubles 55
- Rohan Fernando, Niranjan Wijesekara [1] bt Anil De Silva, Aruna Krishantha 21-8, 21-10
Men's singles 60
- W A Ariyasena [2] bt Louie Karunaratne [1] w.o.
Men's doubles 60
- Lakshman Joseph, Saliya Pathiraja bt W A Ariyasena, Arul Muthukumar [2] 21-8, 21-17
Men's singles 65
- Sunil Jayasiri [1] bt Ajith Wijesinghe 15-21, 21-13, Ret.
Men's doubles 65
- L G Amaratunga, Gamini Jayawardana bt Rohan De Silva, Ajith Wijesinghe [2] 21-14, 20-22, 21-13
Plate men's singles
- Gehan Moses bt Hansa De Silva 23-21, 21-19
Plate women's singles
- Minanga Anujini bt Eranga Jayasinghe 21-14, 21-7
Mix Double Winners
Women's Double Winners
