Thilina and Panchali clinch Puttalam DBA shuttle titles

 Age Group winners with the chief guest

By Susil Premalal

Thilina Rajakaruna and Panchali Adhikari shuttled their way to emerge as Men’s and Women’s Open Singles champions at the Puttalam District All-Island Open Badminton Tournament 2025, concluded at the Sir Albert F. Peiris Indoor Sports Complex in Wennappuwa.

Thilina shocked top seed and favourite Aashinsa Herath to clinch the Men’s Singles title while Panchali totally outsmarted double crown Praveena Wijesundara in straight sets to pocket the Women’s Singles crown.

Organised by the Puttalam District Badminton Association (PDBA), the seven-day championship attracted over 675 shuttlers, who competed under different categories. The championships featured a wide range of events from Under-11 to Under-19 in the junior category and Over-30 to Over-70 in the senior category.

A grand prize money of Rs. 750,000 for all events based on the number of entries, were on offer, in addition to trophies, medals and certificates guaranteed for winners, runners-up and semi-finalists of each event of the tournament.

Results:

Men’s Open Singles: Thilina Rajakaruna beat Aashinsa Herath 13-21, 21-16, 21-14 

Women’s Open Singles: Panchali Adhikari beat Praveena Wijesundara 21-10, 21-14

Men’s Doubles: Aashinsa Herath/Alan Kristanto beat Dinuru Priyashantha/Siyath Senaratne 18-21, 21-19, 21-16
Women’s Open Doubles: Anurangi Masakorala/Praveena Wijesundara beat Vinuthi Ranasinghe/Yenara Wickramasinghe 21-13, 23-21

Mixed Open Doubles: Achinthya Imesha/Praveena Wijesundara beat Thulith Palliyaguru/Panchali Adhikari 21-15, 22-20

Men’s Plate Singles: Duviyn Jayakody beat Samuditha Rathnayaka (w/o)

Boy’s Under-19 Singles: Thidasa Irushika beat Maneth Wijegunawardana 20-22, 21-14, 24-22

Girl’s Under-19 Singles: Thisuri Gunawardena beat Yenara Wickramasinghe 21-18, 21-16

Boy’s Under-19 Doubles: Janeesha de Silva/Thenul Ganewatta beat Nethil Thewmika/Maneth Wijegunawardana 21-19, 21-15

Girl’s U-19 Doubles: Vinuthi Ranasinghe/Yenara Wickramasinghe beat Methuli Nawaratne/Minusha Padma Bandara 21-12, 21-17

Boy’s Under-17 Singles: Kenneth Aruggoda beat Dinew Wimalaratne 14-21 21-15, 21-8

Girl’s Under-17 Singles: Sithuli Ranasinghe beat Vishwanie Wanniarachchi 21-9, 21-13

Boy’s Under-17 Doubles: Kenneth Aruggoda/Dinew WImalaratne beat Samiru Ranasinghe/Pamudu Randiligama 21-14, 22-20

Girl’s Under-17 Doubles: Isuri Attanayake/Sithumi de Silva beat Chathumi Kavihara/Sanuki Thehasna 21-12, 21-17

Boy’s Under-15 Singles: Thamindu Fernando beat Yasiru Dinhas 21-18, 21-7

Girl’s Under-15 Singles: Limnandi Padma Bandara beat Saheli Kalutharaarachchi 21-9, 21-15

Boy’s Under-15 Doubles: Thamindu Fernando/Senuda Rajapaksa beat Sihath Jenusara/Risinu Lakmitha 21-10, 21-15

Girl’s Under-15 Doubles: Sayuni Kulasuriya/Limandi Padma Bandara beat Miyesi Nethara/Nisheli Samararatne 21-19, 21-12