Buwaneka wins men’s singles title for the first time

Buwaneka Goonetileke won the men’s singles title for the first time at the 69th National Badminton Championship organized by Sri Lanka Badminton at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium. Goonetileke overcame a second set loss (9-21) to beat Viren Neththasinghe 2-1 in the final. The final scores read 21-17, 9-21, 21-16.

Goonetileke also bagged the men’s doubles title when he teamed up with Sachin Dias to beat Viren Neththasinghe and Rasindu Hendahewa in straight sets (21-16, 21-17).

On his way to the men’s singles final Goonetileke beat former national champion Dinuka Karunaratne in straight sets 21-18, 23-21 in the semi-finals. Viren Neththasinghe advanced to the men’s singles final by defeating Dumindu Abeywickrama 21-19, 21-6 in the semi-finals.

In the women’s singles Dilmi Dias received a walkover to be crowned the champion. Her opponent Kavindi Sirimannage had to pull out due to an injury sustained during the first round.

A note from Sri Lanka Badminton Association said that Thulith Palliyaguru and Buthmi Galagamage received a walkover from Sachin Dias and Sirimannege to win the mixed doubles final and Tiana Vidanachchi and Buthmi Galagamage also received a walkover from Thilini Hendahewa and Kavidi Sirimannage to clinch women’s doubles title.

Amal Edirisuriya, Director General of the Department of Sports Development, Suresh Subramaniam, President of the National Olympic Committee and Rohan de Silva, President of the Sri Lanka Badminton Association participated in the prize giving ceremony.