Panchali pockets a badminton double

All category winners with officials

By Susil Premalal

Panchali Adhikari claimed a double crown as major upsets occurred at the North Central Province Badminton Association (NCPBA) All-Island Open Badminton Championships 2025, which concluded at the Sports Department Indoor Stadium in Anuradhapura.

The tournament was organised by the Northern Central Province Badminton Association as a National Ranking Level One competition sanctioned by Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB).

Panchali claimed the Women’s Open Singles as well as the Mixed Open Doubles while the favourites collapsed at the seven-day NCPBA Open giving her the first major achievement in a national level competition.

Panchali won the Women’s Open Singles beating Vidara Vidanage in a final that stretched to the wire 2-1 and went on to pocket the Mixed Open Doubles, partnering Thulith Palliyaguru for her double crown. Aashinsa Herath won the Men’s Open Singles comfortably following a straight win against Thilina Rajakaruna while Raihan Gusyaputra and David Homer paired up to beat Oshamika Karunaratne and Thulith Palliyaguru in the Men’s Open Doubles. 

In an absorbing Women’s Open Doubles final Anurangi Masakorala and Praveena Wijesundara sustained their grit to overcome Sanadhi de Silva and Vidara Vidanage while Panchali Adhikari partnered with Thulith Palliyaguru to beat Madhuka Dulanjana and Anurangi Masakorala in a stiff contest to win the Mixed Open Doubles and claim her double crown.

Results of Finals

Men’s Open Singles: Aashinsa Herath beat Thilina Rajakaruna 2-0 (21/15, 21/18)
Women’s Open Singles: Panchali Adhikari beat Vidara Vidanage 2-1 (24/26, 24/22, 21/16)
Men’s Open Doubles: Raihan Gusyaputra/David Homer beat Oshamika Karunaratne/Thulith Palliyaguru 2-0 (21/12, 21/12) 
Women’s Open Doubles: Anurangi Masakorala/Praveena Wijesundara beat Sanadhi de Silva/Vidara Vidanage 2-1 (21/18, 14/21, 22/20)
Mixed Open Doubles: Thulith Palliyaguru/Panchali Adhikari beat Madhuka Dulanjana/Anurangi Masakorala 2-1 (21/16, 19/21, 21/12)
Boys’ U-19 Singles: Mihila Jayaweera beat Thisath Rupathunga 2-1 (21/17, 19/21, 21/16)
Girls’ U-19 Singles: Dulanya Karunaratne beat Thisuri Gunawardena 2-1 (21/12, 12/21, 21/10)
Boys’ U-19 Doubles: Thejana Herath/Mihila Jayaweera beat Vindiya de Silva/Pamith Kumaratunga 2-0 (21/14, 21/13)
Girls’ U-19 Doubles: Sandathi Dewmini/Pawani Induwari beat Thiseja Herath/Komuthu Kumarapperuma 2-0 (21/17, 21/16)
Boys’ U-17 Singles: Pamudu Randiligama beat Samiru Ranasinghe 2-1 (21/9, 11/21, 21/18)
Girls’ U-17 Singles: Benuri Vipulaguna beat Yenuri Nethsara 2-0 (21/14, 21/9)
Boys’ U-17 Doubles: Samiru Ranasinghe/Pamudu Randiligama beat Harish Iyangaran/Saniru Karunaratne 2-0 (21/15, 21/18)
Girls’ U-17 Doubles: Fathima Amani/Yenuri Nethsara beat Kenuli Kumaranayake/Kithsara Ranatunga 2-1 (15/21, 21/8, 21/8)
Boys’ U-15 Singles: Yasiru Jayawardana beat Dasindu Peiris 2-0 (21/12, 21/13)
Girls’ U-15 Singles: Rashmi Herath beat Sayumi de Silva 2-0 (21/18, 21/15)
Boys’ U-15 Doubles: Udan Abinindu/Dasindu Peiris beat Harindu Damsara/Sanuth Palangasinghe 2-1 (16/21, 21/15, 21/9)
Girls’ U-15 Doubles: Rashmi Herath/Sanumi Methnara beat Sayumi de Silva/Ranuli Weerapperuma 2-0 (21/12, 21/19)