The Chess Tournament of the 49th National Sports Festival, organised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in collaboration with the Department of Sports Development, concluded successfully at the Municipal Council Hall recently. The tournament brought together the best provincial chess talents in an intense and prestigious battle of minds. As expected, the event was highly competitive, with the Southern Province men and Western Province women showcasing their excellence on the board to secure the championships in their respective categories.
Ex-Maliyaeva College, Kurunegala, and Sri Lanka national chess player from the North Western (Wayamba) Province, former junior national champion Meheesha Dabarera emerged as the most outstanding men’s player of the tournament. The well-experienced chess prodigy has already achieved international glory, having clinched a bronze medal (Under-20 Open) at the 2024 Commonwealth Youth Chess Championship held in Malaysia.
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Meanwhile, past pupil of Bandaranayake College, Veyangoda, and former junior national champion of the Western Province, Nemindi Linaya Ramanayake, was named the most outstanding player in the women’s tournament.
Although player of the tournament Meheesha Dabarera was exceptional throughout the competition, the Wayamba team failed to defend the gold medal they had won in the previous edition. On the other hand, this was a history-making gold for the hosts, marking the first time Southern Province clinched a chess gold medal at a National Sports Festival. In the women’s competition, the Western Province team successfully defended their championship with another strong performance.
Most outstanding players of the tournament
Men’s Champions ans Women’s 2nd runners-up – Southern Provincial Team
Women’s Champions – Western Province Team
Women’s 1st runners-up – Central Province Team
Men’s 2nd runners-up – North Western (Wayamba) Province Team
NSF 2025 Chess Tournament – Men’s Results
Champions – Southern Province
S. S. Gayashan De Silva, M. T. M. Priyantha, G. K. P. Nimsara, G. K. Gunaweera, D. K. H. Madushanka, C. N. Jayawardene, K.K.K. Dinujaya
1st Runners-up – Sabaragamuwa Province
M. A. N Dhanushka, K.P.R.N. Samaranayaka, A. S. Kaluarachchi, A.A.H.M.B. Senarathne, Y.R.P.M .R Amanayaka, Y. S. Sumanathilaka, P.M.I.U. Samarasinghe
2nd Runner-up – North Western Province
GDM Dabarera, AACB Amarasinghe, CMSPK Chandrasekara, SMSC Sathkumara, MAAH Rathnayaka, RHMID Rajakaruna, KRWR Subasinghe
Most Outstanding Player GWD Maheesha Dabarera of North Western Province
4th Place – Central Province
5th Place – Western Province
6th Place – Northern Province
7th Place – Uva Province
8th Place – North Central Province
9th Place – Eastern Province
NSF 2025 Chess Tournament – Women’s Results
Champions – Western Province
E. M. Pallie, N. L. Ramayanake, M. T. Sandeepani, S. K. Udagedara, R. N. Askey, K.M.D. Sanudula, W.A.C. Chamathka
1st Runner-up – Central Province
R.M.J.D.K Rathnayaka, S. Shasrutha, M. A. Rathnanjali, C. Marasinghe, G. W. N. Fernando, U.M.C.S Yapa Bandara, A.H.M.H.J. Abeysinghe
2nd Runner-up – Southern Province
M. W. Thenumi Seneka, S. G. Jayaweera, W. V. N. Dilanga, B.S.A.T.T Cooray, O. O. Wilawalaarachchi, K. H. Sirimewan, T. H. Kavisha De silva
Most Outstanding Player – A. F. M. Nemindi Linaya Ramanayake of Western Province
4th Place – North Western Province
5th Place – North Central Province
6th Place – Sabaragamuwa Province
7th Place – Northern Province
8th Place – Eastern Province
9th Place – Uva Province
The event was directed and officiated by a well experienced team of professionals
Tournament Director – Ms. Nirmala de Silva
Chief Arbiter – IA Tharindu Weerasekara
Deputy Chief Arbiter – IA W. S. Gunasinghe
Arbiter – IA Gihan Perera
