Keneth and Nethmi claim Junior titles at 73rd Badminton Nationals
Keneth Aruggoda and Nethmi Ratnayake won the Junior Under-19 Singles titles at the 73rd National Badminton Championship 2025, concluded at the S. Thomas’ College Indoor Sports Complex in Mount Lavinia on Wednesday (24).
Keneth Aruggoda and Nethmi Ratnayake claimed the Boy’s and Girl’s Singles titles respectively in the Under-19 category, while Thenul Ganewatte and Nethil Thewmika accounted for the Boys’ Doubles title. Dilni Ambalangodage and Ranumi Manage emerged winners of the Girls’ Under-19 Doubles title, overcoming Thiseja Herath and Komuthu Kumarapperuma in straight sets, while Thenul and Nethil were given a tough outing by Pamith Attanayake and Thidasa Irushika before conceding the Boys’ Under-19 Doubles title. Keneth overcame Hiruka Sahanmith in straight sets to claim the Boy’s Singles title, while Nethmi recorded a similar victory against Senudi Amarasinghe in the Girl’s Singles final.
Junior Boy's Singles winner Kenneth Aruggoda (left) and runner-up Hiruka Sahanmith with their medals
Senuth Perera and Dulanya Karunarathna emerged victorious in the Under-17 finals, accounting for the Boy’s Singles and Girl’s Singles titles, as Amavan Amarasinghe and Chenaal Dewshan recorded a straight win to claim the Boy’s Doubles title. Isuri Attanayake and Sithumi de Silva won the Girls’ Under-17 Doubles title with ease.
Thamindu Fernando earned a double crown in the Under-15 category, winning the Boy’s Singles title against Yasiru Jayawardana and partnering with Senuda Rajapaksa to claim the Boys’ Double title to end the year on a high note. Nithini Sasandhi beat Manuli Methara on her way to claim the Girl’s Under-15 Singles title, while Sayuni Kulasuriya and Limandi Padma Bandara teamed up to beat Miyesi Nethara and Nisheli Samararatne 2-1 and claim the Girls’ Under-15 Doubles title.
Junior Girl's Singles winner Nethmi Ratnayake (left) and runner-up Senudi Amarasinghe with their medals
Hansaka Rashminda and Kiendra de Almeida won the Under-13 Boy’s and Girl’s Singles titles in contrasting fashion, while Rajai Atheeb and Vidas Samarakoon prevailed to claim the Boys’ Doubles title in a closely contested final. Charithsa Amarasinghe and Githara de Silva paired up to win the Girls’ Under-13 Doubles title.
Yenul Rathnayake won a double crown in the Under-11 category, claiming the Boy’s Singles title, after accounting for the Boys’ Doubles title pairing up with Shon Silva. Sasindi Abeysinghe had a tough outing against Siheli Jayasundara on her way to claim the Girl’s Under-11 Singles title, while Siheli made amendments in return to pair up with Janandi Amaya to win the Girls’ Under-11 Doubles title.
The 73rd edition of the National Badminton Championship attracted a total of 1525 entries, making the 2025 version a history-making event. Sri Lanka Badminton officials were overwhelmed by the enthusiasm among local shuttlers as the number of entries this year exceeded last year’s total count of 1254, a clear progress from 2023 edition’s tally of 1140. Rohan de Silva, the Managing Director of McLarens Holdings, gave away the prizes at the awards ceremony as the Chief Guest at the eight-day event, conducted in accordance to BWF regulations and sponsored by McFoil, Mobil, Li Ning, 3M and GAC.
Keneth Aruggoda
Nethmi Ratnayake
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