The Sri Lanka National Novices Chess Championship 2026 Colombo District concluded with spectacular performances from the country’s emerging chess talents at Hindu College, Ratmalana, from January 17 to 19, 2026. The championship was organized by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka, with IA Erosh Jayasinghe serving as both Tournament Director and Chief Arbiter.
Open Category: Sehas Delivers Perfect Performance
In a stunning display of chess mastery, Thivein Sehas dominated the Open Category with a flawless performance, scoring a perfect 7 points from 7 rounds. Sehas’s campaign was nothing short of remarkable, defeating every opponent he faced including crucial victories against strong competitors throughout the tournament. His consistent play and tactical precision secured him the championship title without conceding a single half-point.
The battle for second and third positions was equally thrilling. Niwanthaka Herath finished as first runner-up with an impressive 6.5 points out of 7 rounds. Herath’s tournament featured important victories and only one draw, demonstrating exceptional consistency throughout the competition. His strong performance included critical wins in the middle rounds that kept him in championship contention until the final round.
Yewin Kalmitha U D claimed the third position, also finishing with 6.5 points but settling for third place based on tie-break calculations. Kalmitha’s campaign showcased tactical brilliance, with notable victories against top opponents and only one draw against a strong competitor in the tournament.
Rivinu Mihimitha Waduge put up a formidable challenge, scoring 6 points from 7 rounds to secure fourth place. Mihimitha’s tournament was highlighted by powerful victories in the early rounds and maintained strong form throughout, only suffering a loss in the final round against the eventual champion.
Thenula Damsilu Nanawaththa H A rounded out the top five with 6 points, displaying excellent strategic understanding and endgame technique. The performance included crucial draws in the later rounds that secured the fifth position.
Women’s Category: Senulya Edges Perera in Thrilling Finish
The Women’s Colombo District championship witnessed an intense battle at the top, with Lakruvi Ma Danuji Senulya emerging victorious with 6.5 points from 7 rounds. Senulya’s campaign was marked by consistency and tactical awareness, securing important victories throughout the tournament and finishing with a crucial draw in the final round that sealed the championship.
Kenuli Thenara Perera also scored 6.5 points but had to settle for second place based on tie-break scores. Perera demonstrated remarkable fighting spirit throughout the competition, with impressive wins against strong opponents and maintaining pressure on the leader until the very end.
Thuhansa Kithnar Nanawaththa H A claimed third position with 6.5 points, showcasing exceptional chess skills with victories over several top-ranked players. The performance highlighted strong positional understanding and sharp tactical vision.
Kishori Sahansa Weerasinghe finished fourth with a solid 6 points from 7 rounds. Weerasinghe’s tournament featured excellent preparation and strategic planning, including several decisive victories in the middle rounds.
Rivisandi Sedasna H G completed the top five with 6 points, demonstrating consistent performance and resilience in critical positions throughout the championship.
Tournament Format and Highlights
Both championships were conducted as 7-round Swiss system tournaments with standard time control of 90 minutes plus a 30-second increment from move one. The tournaments attracted numerous young talents from across the Colombo District, all eager to showcase their skills and compete for the prestigious National Novices titles.
The event saw several exciting encounters in the crucial rounds, with players demonstrating advanced tactical abilities and strategic understanding well beyond their experience level. The competitive nature of both tournaments was evident as tie-breaks were required to separate players with identical scores in multiple positions.
The championship served as an excellent platform for identifying and nurturing young chess talent in Sri Lanka, with many players showing tremendous potential for future success in national and international competitions.
Congratulations to all participants and winners of the Sri Lanka National Novices Chess Championship 2026 Colombo District. The outstanding performances demonstrated the bright future of chess in Sri Lanka and the growing depth of talent among the country’s young players.
