Sri Lanka Amateur and Ladies Championships tee off on Tuesday
The lush fairways of the historic Royal Colombo Golf Club (RCGC) will once again host the country’s most prestigious amateur golfing event when the 134th edition of the Sri Lanka Amateur Golf Championship and the Sri Lanka Ladies Stroke Play Championship, driven by the CEAT Europe Range, tee off on Tuesday.
The Men’s Championship will see schoolboy Jevahn Sathasivam return to defend his amateur title, while junior sensation Kaya Daluwatte will be looking to repeat her dual success in both the Sri Lanka Amateur and Sri Lanka Ladies Stroke Play Championships. They will face strong challenges from rising names such as Reshan Algama, Jacob Norton, Chalitha Pushpika and Uchitha Ranasinghe, who are all in search of their maiden titles.
Shamal Gunawardene, the Chief Operating Officer of CEAT Kelani Holdings, makes a symbolic presentation to Anouk Chitty, the Honorary Secretary of Sri Lanka Golf Union
A total of 100 players from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates and Sri Lanka will contest the historic tournament, recognised as the second-oldest national amateur championship in the world. This year’s edition promises a blend of established names and emerging talent. India and Pakistan arrive with strong contingents, while Nepal and Bangladesh bring youthful energy and growing ambition. The UAE’s participation widens the championship’s reach, while hosts Sri Lanka will rely on familiar conditions and home support to mount a serious challenge.
With the tee off, the Men’s Championship will begin alongside the two qualifying rounds on Tuesday and Wednesday. The top 32 players will progress to the Match Play stage which begins from Thursday, September 25, culminating in a 36-hole final on September 28.
The Sri Lanka Ladies Amateur Championship will run concurrently with the Ladies’ Stroke Play Championship. The eight lowest aggregate gross scores returned on Wednesday and Thursday will progress to the Match Play segment which commences on September 26. Scores returned on September 23, 24 and 25 will determine the Sri Lanka Ladies Stroke Play Champion.
The Sri Lanka Men’s and Ladies Amateur Championships will produce their champions by next Sunday, September 28. Organised by Sri Lanka Golf Union (SLGU), the championships will be partnered for the second consecutive year by CEAT Kelani Holdings under the banner of the CEAT Europe Range.
“Golf is a sport defined by precision, balance and control — qualities that resonate deeply with the CEAT Europe Range, engineered for superior performance and comfort on the road,” stated Ravi Dadlani, the Managing Director of CEAT Kelani Holdings, terming the partnership as a natural fit.
This year’s competition promises a strong international dimension, with participation of national teams from Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan confirmed, as well as private entries from India in both the Men’s and Women’s categories. Sri Lanka will also defend the Zia-Ul-Haq Trophy against Pakistan, while the Parlakamedi Trophy will be contested among other national federations.
A rich array of silverware will further add prestige to the six-day championship. The Victoria Cup will go to the player with the lowest aggregate gross score in the two qualifying rounds, while the Illankoon Trophy will reward the lowest aggregate nett score. The Pin Fernando Trophy and the SLGU Trophy will recognise the lowest gross and nett scores respectively in the second qualifying round. Teams of three will also vie for the Levers Shield and the Dudley Senanayake Cup, awarded for the lowest aggregate gross and nett scores.
On Wednesday, the Leonard Pieris Cup and Firestone Jepson Cup will be presented for the lowest gross and nett scores of the day, while the Lilamani Weeraratne Trophy and another Pin Fernando Trophy will be awarded on aggregate performance across Wednesday and Thursday.
First played in 1891, the event has long been a gateway for Asia’s finest golfers, many of whom later advanced to professional tours and international representation. Its tradition and pedigree make it a coveted title in the region, with past champions hailing from across South and Southeast Asia. For Sri Lanka, the tournament is more than a sporting occasion. It is a chance to showcase the island’s ability to host international competition while preserving a legacy that stretches back over a century. The presence of 100 players from six nations underlines its importance on the Asian golfing calendar.
With its blend of historic tradition, international participation, and the promise of spirited rivalries, the 134th Sri Lanka Amateur and the Ladies Stroke Play Championships promise six days of compelling golf. Supported by the CEAT Europe Range, the championships celebrate not only the pursuit of titles and trophies, but also the values of focus, control and excellence that define both the sport and the sponsor.