Ministry of Education Team 1, Hatton National Bank Men’s, and Sampath Bank Team A Excel at the Mercantile Government Services International Rating Chess Championship 2025 Rapid Event
The Mercantile Government Services International Rating Chess Championship 2025 Rapid Event took place on October 11, 2025 at the Sport Ministry Gym, Maitland Place, Colombo 07. Organized by the Mercantile Chess Association under the direction of tournament director Mr. Elath De Silva and chief arbiter IA Lalantha Viraj Mudalige, with deputy chief arbiter FA T M Dilan Udayashantha and arbiters Pabasara Isuru and Hasini Nimesha Bandara, the championship featured intense competition among teams representing various government institutions and private sector organizations. The tournament was played under a seven-round Swiss team format with a standard time control.
A total of 40 teams competed in this prestigious rapid chess event, showcasing the depth of talent in Sri Lanka’s mercantile and government service sectors. The championship witnessed exciting battles across all seven rounds, with several teams fighting closely for top honors.
Ministry of Education Team 1 dominated the tournament with a perfect record, emerging as champions with 14 match points after winning all seven matches and accumulating 16.5 game points. Hatton National Bank Men’s Team secured the first runner-up position with 11 match points (5 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss) and 14 game points. Sampath Bank Team A claimed the second runner-up spot with 11 match points (5 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss) and 13.5 game points. Sri Lankan Navy and Sysco LABS Team A finished in fourth and fifth places respectively, both achieving strong performances with 10 match points each.
The tournament showcased exceptional team chess, with Ministry of Education Team 1’s unbeaten run demonstrating their superior preparation and execution throughout the event. Their perfect 7-0 record highlighted the strength and consistency of their entire squad.
Team Members of Winning Teams
Ministry of Education Team 1
- Asiri Weerathilaka
- AFM Harsha Madushanka
- Pasan Vindula Liyanapathirana
- Ruvinda Wijesekara
Hatton National Bank Men’s Team
- Thanushka Gamage
- R P S C Ranasinghe
- C K D Fonseka
- Vishal Hewawasam
Sampath Bank Team A
- ACM M H Dinura Yasanjith
- Amila Basura Jayaswarna
- W M Sandamith
- Punsandu Guruge
Best Women’s Teams
In the Women’s category, Sysco LABS Team A claimed the championship title with an impressive 10 match points (5 wins, 2 losses) and 14 game points. IFS Women secured the first runner-up position with 6 match points (3 wins, 4 losses) and 9 game points. Bank of Ceylon Women finished as the second runner-up with 6 match points (3 wins, 4 losses) and 8.5 game points.
Women’s Championship
Sysco LABS Team A
- H L S Chamika
- WFM S A K Chandrasiri
- W S T D Koggala
- T B S H Bandara
IFS Women
- Dulini Dayalu Weerakkody
- M M S Wasula Bandara
- B M H M K Bandara
Bank of Ceylon Women
- W Thilini Wathsala Wijerathna
- R M Chakila Madushani
- A M R U K Abeysekara
- S A Gunathilaka
Outstanding Individual Performances
Several players delivered exceptional performances throughout the tournament. On Board 1, K L D J Perera from DFCC Bank B achieved an outstanding score of 6.5 out of 7 games with a 92.9% success rate. On Board 2, M A N Danushka from Bank of Ceylon Mens Team A matched this impressive performance with 6.5 out of 7 points (92.9%). Pasan Vindula Liyanapathirana from Ministry of Education Team 1 dominated Board 3 with 6.5 out of 7 points, also achieving 92.9%. Most remarkably, C K D Fonseka from Hatton National Bank Men’s Team achieved a perfect score on Board 4 with 7 out of 7 points (100%), demonstrating exceptional skill and consistency throughout the tournament.
The rapid event provided an excellent platform for teams to showcase their tactical abilities and time management skills under faster time controls. The championship successfully brought together chess enthusiasts from diverse sectors of Sri Lankan society, promoting the growth of chess in the mercantile and government service communities.
Congratulations to all the winners and participants for their outstanding performances and exemplary sportsmanship throughout this exciting championship.
