By chesssl.com | April 24, 2026
The chess world in Sri Lanka is buzzing with excitement. Halfway through the country’s most prestigious annual chess event, a remarkable story is unfolding at the Police Families Welfare Association in Colombo — and at the centre of it all is a 12-year-old Royalist with nerves of steel.
The Sri Lanka National Chess Championship 2026, organised by the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka, got underway on April 18th and runs through to April 27th. The tournament features fourteen of the country’s finest chess players competing in a Round Robin format across thirteen rounds, each game played under a standard time control of 90 minutes with a 30-second increment per move from move one — a format that demands endurance, preparation, and deep competitive instinct in equal measure.
After six rounds of intense play, CM Vinuka Dihain Wijerathna of Royal College, Colombo has emerged as the surprise leader — though given his record over the past few years, perhaps “surprise” is not quite the right word. Born in 2013 and just 12 years old, Vinuka has already distinguished himself on the Asian stage, having claimed gold at the Asian Schools Chess Championship in the Under-11 category. Now, competing against seasoned national-level players, he has stormed to 5 points out of a possible 6, making him the undisputed frontrunner at the halfway point of the championship.
Hot on his heels are two formidable contenders separated from him by just half a point. CM B. Janukshan and Chenitha Mithvidu Ovitigala have both scored 4.5 points and are refusing to let the young leader breathe easy. The battle between these three for the championship title promises to be one of the most gripping finales in recent memory.
But perhaps the most intriguing subplot of the 2026 championship is the presence of defending champion Dhanushka Bandara. Bandara made history in 2025 when he clinched the national title with an outstanding score of 9.5 points out of 13 rounds, establishing himself as one of Sri Lanka’s finest active players. This year, however, the road to retaining the crown has not been smooth. Sitting in fifth place with 3.5 points after six rounds — a full one and a half points behind Vinuka — Bandara faces a significant mountain to climb in the second half. With seven rounds remaining and the Round Robin format offering no margin for error, every game from here will be a battle of survival for the defending champion.
The field is rounded out by a strong cast of experienced players. CM S. Sivathanujan, T H D Thisarindu Induwara, and FM Dishal Nimsara Weerasekara are among those still very much in mathematical contention, while CM Thehas Rithmitha Kiringoda — another rising talent who featured in the top three of the National Youth Championship in 2024 — is also pushing for a strong second-half performance.
The event is being expertly administered by Tournament Director IA Erosh Jayasinghe, with Chief Arbiter IA G. Luxman Wijesuriya and Deputy Chief Arbiter FA W S N Chandrarathne ensuring the rounds run with precision and fairness. Their professionalism has helped create an atmosphere where the chess — not the controversy — is the headline.
The second half of the championship, running until April 27th, promises drama, determination, and perhaps a moment of history. If CM Vinuka Dihain Wijerathna can hold his nerve across the remaining seven rounds, he would become one of the youngest players ever to claim the Sri Lanka National Chess Championship — a staggering achievement for a 12-year-old still in school at Royal College, Colombo. Yet seasoned competitors like Dhanushka Bandara and the chasing pack will not surrender without a fight.
Chesssl.com extends warm congratulations to all the participants of the Sri Lanka National Chess Championship 2026 for their outstanding performances so far. A special mention goes to the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka for their continued dedication to growing the game at the highest national level. We look forward to an unforgettable second half.
Stay tuned to chesssl.com for round-by-round updates, game highlights, and the final championship report as the battle for Sri Lanka’s chess crown reaches its climax.