Chanaka and Kaya qualify for final

By Shamseer Jaleel

Sri Lanka’s top amateur golfer, Chanaka Perera, will meet Saad Habib Malik of Pakistan in the Gents final at the 134th Sri Lanka Amateur Golfer Championship 2025. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s top girl golfer, Kaya Daluwatte, will meet Asara Sawhney in the 119th Ladies Amateur final.

CEAT Europe is sponsoring this second-oldest amateur golf tournament in the globe.

Chanaka showed great consistency throughout the tournament when he displayed control and calmness under pressure, winning multiple matches with his steady performance, which carried him into the later stages, proving his class once again. Chanaka beat Lavindu Premarathna, Husni Uwise, Chalitha Pushpika and Sachin de Silva on his way to the final.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Saad displayed grit, claiming crucial wins by narrow margins. His ability to finish matches highlighted his competitive edge, carrying him deep into the event. Saad beat MD Sanjeewa, Jacob Norton, India’s Vivian Ubhayakar and overcame Reshan Algama in the semi-final.

The Ladies Championship delivered thrilling match play encounters as the top contenders battled through the quarter-finals and semi-finals. Kaya qualified through wins against Tiru Jesudasan and Jade Jiggens, while her opponent in the final, Asara, beat Sadamali Sumanaratne and got a walkover from Anouk Chitty. Kaya set a course record three days back by playing a 7-under-par round of 65.

The FB de Mel Cup produced two gripping semi-final clashes before the grand final. In the opening semi, Elsie Pathmanathan was in top form, securing a convincing 4/2 win over Eline Sterchi to book her place in the title match. The second semi-final saw a much tighter battle. Viv Fowler Watt held her nerve in a close contest against Aaraadhi Samaratatne, edging through with a narrow 1-up victory to advance to the final.

The final was played in great spirit, with Viv producing a strong all-round performance. She outplayed Elsie 4/2 to clinch the FB de Mel Cup, adding her name to the rich history of the championship.