The Sri Lanka National Youth Super League Event 2026 concluded with impressive performances across six girls’ categories from January 15 to 19, 2026, at the Sports Ministry Pavilion in Torrington, Colombo 07. The championship, organized by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka, featured round-robin tournaments with a standard time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment per move, providing young female players with an excellent platform to showcase their chess abilities.
The event was conducted under the expert guidance of IA Erosh Jayasinghe as Tournament Director and IA Naditha Amarakoon as Chief Arbiter, with IA Tharindu Weerasekara serving as Deputy Chief Arbiter. The tournament was further supported by arbiters FA Chathuranga Buddhika and FA Udayashantha, ensuring smooth operations throughout all categories.
Under 8 Girls Category
Akshara Shanojan from Kokkuvil Hindu Primary School emerged as the champion of the Under 8 Girls category with an impressive 6.5 points from 9 rounds. Shanojan’s consistent performance throughout the tournament demonstrated exceptional understanding of chess fundamentals at such a young age.
Thinuli Sethumsa from Maliyadeva Balika Vidyalaya finished as runner-up with 6 points, showing strong competitive spirit with six victories. Himandi Sehansa De Silva Rajaratne from Gonapinuwala Primary School claimed third position with 5.5 points, while Meleesha Thennakoon secured fourth place with an identical 5.5-point score based on tie-break calculations.
Thevni Harisandi Perera rounded out the top five with 5 points, demonstrating that the future of girls’ chess in Sri Lanka is in capable hands. The category featured several exciting games with young players displaying remarkable tactical awareness.
Under 10 Girls Category
Yurenie Angela Fernando from Holy Family Balika Primary School delivered a dominant performance to win the Under 10 Girls championship with 7.5 points from 9 rounds. Fernando’s campaign included six victories and showcased mature positional play combined with sharp tactical vision.
Risini Sehansa Athapaththu from Maliyadeva Balika Vidyalaya finished second with 5.5 points, while Hasini Anuththara Ranasinghe from Mahamaya Girls’ College secured third place with 5.5 points, settling for third based on tie-breaks. ACM Eleesha Fernando from Holy Family Balika Primary School claimed fourth position with 5 points.
The tournament featured several hard-fought encounters, with players demonstrating excellent understanding of opening principles and middlegame strategy. The competitive nature of the event highlighted the growing strength of girls’ chess at this age level in Sri Lanka.
Under 12 Girls Category
The Under 12 Girls category produced one of the closest finishes of the tournament, with Vaneesha Oshini Gomes from Loyola College claiming the championship with 7.5 points from 9 rounds. Gomes secured seven victories in a brilliant display of consistent chess.
Risali Lohasna Jayaweera from Musaeus College also finished with 7.5 points but had to settle for second place based on tie-break calculations, having won six games. Hesanya Thanthulage from Holy Cross College secured third position with 7 points after winning six games, demonstrating excellent form throughout the event.
Hasadi Sethumsa claimed fourth place with 6 points, while several other players showed promising performances. The category featured numerous decisive encounters with players displaying advanced tactical and strategic abilities that bode well for the future of Sri Lankan women’s chess.
Under 14 Girls Category
ACM Hansadie Aradhya Akuratiya from Lyceum International School Nugegoda produced a stellar performance to win the Under 14 Girls championship with 7.5 points from 9 rounds. Akuratiya’s campaign featured six victories and demonstrated exceptional chess maturity and calculating ability.
WCM Sethumlee Devhara Palliyage from Sanghamiththa Balika Vidyalaya finished as runner-up with 7 points, showcasing consistent play throughout the tournament with five wins. Senudhi Ahasya Jayasinghe from Rathnavali Balika Vidyalaya claimed third position with 5.5 points, while P Y S Hasansee secured fourth place with 4.5 points.
AFM Vinudi Dahamsa Madduma Patabendi rounded out the top five positions. The tournament featured several high-quality games with complex positions and precise endgame technique on display, reflecting the advancing level of girls’ chess in this age category.
Under 16 Girls Category
Yenuthi Sahanlee Perera from Sujatha Vidyalaya secured the Under 16 Girls championship with 6.5 points from 9 rounds. Perera’s performance included five victories and demonstrated mature positional understanding combined with excellent tactical awareness.
Jenuki Alwis from Gateway College finished second with 6 points, showing strong competitive spirit throughout the event with five wins. Chanthuli Thanishka De Silva from Anula Vidyalaya claimed third position with 5 points, while Senaree Gamaarachchi secured fourth place.
The category featured several exciting encounters with players displaying advanced chess knowledge and the ability to handle complex positions. The competitive nature of the tournament was evident as multiple players finished with similar point totals, showcasing the depth of talent in this age group.
Under 18 Girls Category
Sandithi Kusalya Alwis from Anula Vidyalaya emerged victorious in the Under 18 Girls category with 6 points from 7 rounds. The Under 18 Girls section was conducted over seven rounds, and Alwis’s six victories demonstrated dominant form and excellent preparation.
H M D L Herath from Senarath Paranavithana National School finished as runner-up with 4.5 points, while K P K Hesara Gunasekara from Mahamaya Girls’ College claimed third position with 4 points. AFM Dahamsa Punsadi Devaraja from Devi Balika Vidyalaya secured fourth place with 2.5 points.
The tournament featured several high-level games with players demonstrating advanced strategic understanding and the ability to navigate complex endgames, reflecting the maturity and skill level expected at this age category.
The Sri Lanka National Youth Super League Event 2026 successfully provided young female chess players with valuable competitive experience in a round-robin format, allowing them to face each opponent in their respective categories. The event demonstrated the remarkable growth and depth of girls’ chess in Sri Lanka across all age groups.
The tournament was expertly organized by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka, with the officiating team of IA Erosh Jayasinghe, IA Naditha Amarakoon, IA Tharindu Weerasekara, FA Chathuranga Buddhika, and FA Udayashantha ensuring fair play and smooth operations throughout all categories.
Congratulations to all the champions, medal winners, and participants for their outstanding performances at the Sri Lanka National Youth Super League Event 2026. The high level of play across all girls’ categories reflects the bright future of women’s chess in Sri Lanka and the dedication of these young players to excellence in the royal game.
