The Junior National Chess Championship 2026 arrived in the Western Province from March 13 to 15, 2026, with Sir John Kotalawala Vidyalaya, Piliyandala serving as the venue for what proved to be one of the most competitive provincial selection events in the entire series. Organized by the Colombo District Chess Association on behalf of the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka, the Western Province selection brought together the province’s finest young chess talent across both the Open and Girls sections for three days of intense FIDE-rated competition under the Swiss System format, with a time control of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds increment per move from move 1.
The Junior National Chess Championship series provides junior players across all provinces with their own dedicated selection competition, with the top performers from each provincial event earning the right to represent their province at the national stage. Tournament Director IA Erosh Jayasinghe oversaw the event, with FA Washini Chamithri Surasinghe serving as Chief Arbiter across both sections.
Open Section — Gamage Grabs Western Province Glory
Senuka Lakvin Gamage delivered a superb campaign across all seven rounds to claim the Western Province Junior National Open title with 6.5 points — a composed and confident performance from start to finish that marked him out as a worthy provincial champion. Gamage’s consistency throughout the event was the hallmark of his title-winning run, and he will now carry Western Province’s hopes onto the national stage.
AFM D G Ovindu Chethaka matched Gamage’s 6.5 points exactly and pushed all the way to the final round, claiming second place on tie-break in what was a razor-thin finish at the top. Chethaka’s campaign was equally impressive, and his result underlines his quality as one of the Western Province’s leading junior players. Third place went to Thehan Kemith Kodikara with 6 points — the top-rated player in the field at 1585 — while Thevindu Silva claimed fourth also on 6 points on tie-break, and R C Thihansith Perera rounded out the top five also with 6 points in a fiercely competitive Open section.
J P Senuru Rehan and M A Nethuka Nimsara both finished with 5.5 points for sixth and seventh places respectively, while Jenul Wewakumbura, ACM M H Mesandu Nithwara Gunathilaka, and Dinada Akein Vandabona completed the top ten — all finishing with 5.5 points in a highly competitive field that reflected the exceptional depth of junior chess talent across the Western Province.
Girls Section — Seenipellage Shines for Western Province
The Girls section produced an equally thrilling competition, with Himandi Esara Seenipellage claiming the Western Province Junior Girls title with an outstanding 6.5 points from seven rounds. Seenipellage’s assured and dominant performance throughout the event made her a deserving champion and a Chess Queen to watch as Sri Lanka’s junior women’s chess continues to grow from strength to strength.
Thanudi Nathara Mahawatte finished as runner-up with 6 points, while Kithara Wenumdi Abeywardana claimed third place also on 6 points on tie-break — both players delivering impressive and consistent campaigns across all seven rounds. P G Lithumi Hiranya finished fourth with 6 points as well, underlining the remarkable strength in depth of the Western Province Girls field. Lithuli Vidasna Wijesinghe and AFM S H Senudi Sehasna both finished with 5.5 points for fifth and sixth places respectively, while L H O Honara Gunawardhana, K Minuthi Kavinma Gunasekara, Minuli Sanulya Guruge, and Chanuthi Thenulima Rathnayake completed the top ten in a Girls section that showcased the very best of Western Province’s junior women’s chess talent.
The Colombo District Chess Association deserves great credit for delivering a superbly organised provincial selection event at Sir John Kotalawala Vidyalaya. Tournament Director IA Erosh Jayasinghe and Chief Arbiter FA Washini Chamithri Surasinghe ensured that all seven rounds across both sections were conducted smoothly and professionally throughout the three days.
Congratulations to all the champions and participants of the Junior National Chess Championship 2026 — Western Province. The future of Sri Lankan chess is in very capable hands, and we look forward to seeing these talented young players carry the Western Province flag proudly onto the national stage. Keep playing, keep improving, and keep dreaming big! ♟️🇱🇰
