The National Schools Team Selection 2026 — Central Province brought together the finest school chess teams from across Kandy, Matale, and the surrounding hills, all with one goal in mind — earning the right to represent Central Province at the National Schools Team Chess Championship 2026. Contested across four age categories — Under 17 Boys, Under 20 Boys, Under 17 Girls, and Under 20 Girls — the tournament produced brilliant individual performances, dramatic team battles, and confirmed once again the depth of school-level chess in the Central hills.
Played in the Swiss-System team format, the Under 17 categories ran across six rounds while the Under 20 categories were decided in five rounds. Each team fielded up to seven players across the boards, and match points determined the final standings.
Under 17 Boys — Ranabima Royal College Storm to the Title
The Under 17 Boys section brought ten schools to the board, and it was Ranabima Royal College who emerged as champions with a superb tally of 11 match points. Their squad delivered board-by-board dominance — Minuja Hansana Godagampala on Board 1 scored a magnificent 5 out of 6, Udula Hansana Weerakoon produced the outstanding individual campaign of 5.5 out of 6 on Board 6, and Induka Wekumbura added another 5-point contribution on Board 3. Their consistency across all seven boards was the key to lifting the title.
Trinity College – Kandy took second place with 8 match points, led by an outstanding Akitha Thennakoon (5.5/6) and Minila Bandara Wijekoon (5/6). Dharmaraja College – Kandy completed the podium with 8 match points as well, powered by a brilliant 6 out of 6 sweep by Galkotuwa K A R G W D R B G on Board 2 — the perfect campaign of the entire section — and strong support from FM Dishal Nimsara Weerasekara on Board 3.
Kingswood College – Kandy, Vidyartha College – Kandy, and St. Sylvester’s College – Kandy also delivered spirited campaigns, with Sethum Dilkith Gunawardhana of Vidyartha and Dulmeth Sasnitha Herath of St. Sylvester’s each racking up perfect 6/6 individual scores.
Under 20 Boys — Dharmaraja College Dominate
The Under 20 Boys section belonged to Dharmaraja College – Kandy, who finished on 10 match points from five rounds to sweep the title in commanding fashion. Their line-up was one of the deepest in the tournament, with Damsara Bandara Rajanayake leading Board 1 with 4.5/5, Oshada Mewan Senarathne contributing 4.5/5, and AIM K P L Liyanage anchoring the top boards.
St. Sylvester’s College – Kandy took second place on 8 match points, driven by outstanding performances from G H P M Sumanasinghe (4.5/5) and G R Keshan Thamidu Karunarathna (4.5/5). Kingswood College – Kandy claimed third with 6 match points, with Senuka Damsath Somarathne shining brilliantly on Board 5 with 4.5 points.
Under 17 Girls — Girls High School Reign Supreme
The Under 17 Girls section produced arguably the most dominant team performance of the entire selection. Girls High School – Kandy stormed to the title with 10 match points and an eye-catching three perfect 5/5 scores — from Yesandi Wickramaarachchi, Methuli S Wijethunga, and D A Yehenya Sadeepthi Kumara. Three perfect boards in a five-round team event is a remarkable achievement and speaks to the sheer quality of their squad.
Mahamaya Girls College – Kandy finished second with 8 match points, with Tharuki Hesara Meegahagedara (4.5/5) leading the charge. Pushpadana Girls College – Kandy took third on 6 match points, with Damsisi Sathsarani Samarakkodi and Tenuki Pasanja Abeysekara both posting excellent 4.5/5 individual scores.
Under 20 Girls — Mahamaya Girls College Take the Crown
In the Under 20 Girls, Mahamaya Girls College – Kandy completed a memorable Kandy hills celebration by taking the title with 10 match points. Their campaign was headlined by K P K Hesara Gunasekara, who produced a stunning perfect 5 out of 5 on Board 5, supported by fine performances from Amesha Shenali Wijesinghe (4.5/5) and Devlini Nethaki Atapattu (4/5).
Girls High School – Kandy finished as runners-up with 8 match points, powered by Neksha P Maddumage on Board 1 (4.5/5) and steady contributions across the middle boards. Pushpadana Girls’ College – Kandy claimed third with 6 match points, with M S C Keshari Gaveshika shining brightly on Board 2 with 4.5/5.
A Proud Day for Central Province Schools Chess
The National Schools Team Selection is where dreams of representing province and country begin. From the youngest boards to the top seats, every player brought grit and pride to the tables. The four champion schools — Ranabima Royal College, Dharmaraja College – Kandy, Girls High School – Kandy, and Mahamaya Girls College – Kandy — will now proudly carry the Central Province flag to the National Schools Team Chess Championship 2026.
Warmest congratulations to every winning school, every runner-up, and every young player who sat across the board and gave their best. Special appreciation goes to the organisers, the arbiters, and all the schools who made this vibrant celebration of schools chess possible. Central Province chess is in wonderful hands — and the future looks brilliantly bright.
