Sri Lankans sweep the boards

 The champion Sri Lankans after their resounding success on the badminton court

By Susil Premalal

Sri Lanka’s badminton players delivered a commanding performance at the South Asia Regional Championship 2025 in Bhutan, winning all three age categories in the Under 15, Under 17 and Under 23 segments to become the undisputed champions of the tournament.

The campaign began on August 15 with the Under 17 team defeating Pakistan 4-1, highlighted by straight-set victories from Kenneth Aruggoda and Nethmi Ratnayake (mixed doubles), Senuth Sethmitha Perera (men’s singles), Vishwanie Wanniarachchi (women’s singles) and Nethmi and Vishwanie (women’s doubles). 

Although Sri Lanka dropped the men’s doubles, the rest of the matches, showed clear superiority. 

On the same day, the Under-23 Sri Lankans dismantled Bhutan 5-0 with standout performances from Dumindu Abeywickrama and Ranithma Liyanage, who secured both singles and doubles wins.

Dumindu and Viren Nettasinghe then teamed up to seal a dominant men’s doubles win while Ranithma and Rashmi Mudalige dismantled their Bhutani opponents with a strong show in the women’s doubles tie.

Sri Lanka’s dominance continued on August 16, when the Under 23 team beat Pakistan 5-0, while the Under 17s and Under 15s swept Bhutan by the same scoreline. 

The victory of the young Under 15 squad was led by singles and doubles wins from Thamindu Fernando and Nithini Kotuwegoda. Thamindu and Ranithu Premarathne also won the boys’ doubles, while Nithini and Limandi Gajali secured victory in the girls’ doubles. 

Thamindu and Limandi also won the mixed doubles to help Sri Lanka wrap a dominant 5-0 sweep, underlining the depth of Sri Lanka’s junior badminton program.

On the final day on Sunday, the Sri Lankans stamped their authority once again with clean 5-0 wins across all age groups against Nepal.

The matches featured some tough battles, including three-set thrillers in the men’s singles and women’s doubles as Sri Lanka’s players showed resilience to pull through.