CM A A C B Amarasinghe of Sri Lanka was honoured with the prestigious title of DICF Player of the Year at the 12th Dhamso International Chess Festival 2025, following a commanding victory in the Open Championship. In the Women’s category, WCM Sethumlee Devhara Palliyage claimed the title after an intense competition, securing her position at the top of a talented field of participants.
Held from July 10 to 14, 2025, at the Sea Breeze Hotel in Ambalangoda, the 12th edition of the Dhamso International Chess Festival saw a record participation of 536 players. Organised by the Old Boys’ Chess Association of Dharmasoka College, the event was conducted under the auspices of the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka, the Asian Chess Federation, and FIDE. The Dhamso Festival has been a cornerstone of the Sri Lankan chess calendar since its inception in 2011 and continues to be the only long-standing FIDE-rated tournament managed by a school-affiliated body in the country.
This year’s edition featured both standard and blitz championships, with a total prize pool of LKR 1.7 million, awarded through trophies, medals, and certificates. The coveted DICF Player of the Year title carried a special award of LKR 150,000. Every participant received a certificate of participation, underscoring the organisers’ commitment to inclusivity and recognition of talent.
In the standard Open Championship, CM A A C B Amarasinghe delivered a flawless performance, finishing with 9/10 points, drawing only in rounds eight and ten. A A H M B Senarathne secured the first runner-up position with 8.5 points after edging out three other contenders on tie-breaks. K G Wimalarathne claimed the second runner-up position, while CM Kosala Sandeepa Chamikara Amarathunge finished in fourth place.
The Women’s Championship concluded with a four-way tie at 7.5/10 points. On tie-break, WCM Sethumlee Devhara Palliyage was declared the champion. B Yenuthi Sahanlee Perera and WFM M Esandi Newansa claimed the first and second runner-up titles respectively, while R P Hansali H Thrinethsaree narrowly missed the podium.
The Blitz Championship, held on the evening of July 12, brought fast-paced excitement to the festival. W M Minura Sathsindu clinched the Open Blitz title with FM M Sasith Nipun Piyumantha and K G Wimalarathne taking the first and second runner-up positions. In the Women’s Blitz Championship, WCM K M Dahamdi Sanudula won the title, followed by AFM Dahamsa Punsadi Devaraja and M Sanindee Niwetha Kularathna.
Team championships further enriched the festival. In the Higher Education category, the University of Moratuwa took top honours, with the University of Jaffna and NSBM Green University securing the first and second runner-up positions, respectively. In the Government Services and Mercantile team category, the Sri Lanka Navy triumphed, with the Sri Lanka Air Force and the Ministry of Education teams finishing as runners-up.
In addition to the main awards, accolades were presented across multiple rating and age categories, celebrating a wide range of performances and encouraging players at all levels.
The awards ceremony was graced by distinguished guests, including Mr Chamin Dennis Livera as Chief Guest, Mr Nuwan Karunakalage as Special Guest, and Mr K A D Karunarathna, Principal of Dharmasoka College.
The success of the festival was made possible through the support of sponsors such as Kriegspiel Chess Academy, INLUCK Computers & Printers, Panhinda Bookshop, and Shutter Time Studio.
The 12th Dhamso International Chess Festival reaffirmed its status as one of the premier events in Sri Lanka’s chess calendar. Organisers now look ahead to welcoming players and supporters to the 13th edition in 2026.
