The Junior National Chess Championship 2026 came to the Southern Province from March 13 to 15, 2026, as Anuruddha Vidyalaya, Kurudugahahetekma played host to one of the most exciting junior chess events of the year. Organized by the Galle District Chess Association on behalf of the Chess Federation of Sri Lanka, the Southern Province selection event brought together the province’s finest young chess talent across both the Juniors and Girls sections for three days of intense FIDE-rated competition — both nationally and internationally rated — 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 is a new and significant development in Sri Lankan chess, providing junior players with their own dedicated provincial selection competition. The top performers from each province’s selection event earn the right to represent their province at the national stage, making every round of the provincial tournament critically important. Tournament Director FI Gihan De Silva oversaw the event, with FA D G D Chamil Thilakarathne serving as Chief Arbiter across both sections.
Juniors Section — Thusara Claims Southern Glory
H G Thoshintha Thusara delivered the performance of the tournament in the Juniors section, claiming the Southern Province title with an outstanding 6.5 points from seven rounds. Thusara’s campaign was built on consistent, disciplined chess from the very first round — finishing the event as the clear champion and earning the right to carry Southern Province’s flag at the national stage. It was a worthy and commanding title victory from one of the province’s most talented young players.
The battle for second and third place was fiercely contested, with three players finishing on 6 points. Imeth Hansira Palliyaguruge claimed second place on tie-break with 6 points, while S H Esandu Induwara took third also on 6 points — both players delivering impressive campaigns across all seven rounds. AFM Nithum Randira Edirisinghe finished fourth with 6 points as well, underlining the remarkable depth of the Southern Province Juniors field. W A Kusal Onara Wijethunga and P T Seniru Dinsitha both finished with 5.5 points for fifth and sixth places respectively, while AFM H G Lashen Eshan, K A Kaviru Geeneth, K K Mayon Nimrad, and H Minupa Nejan Dharmasena rounded out the top ten — all finishing with 5.5 points in a highly competitive field from top to bottom.
Girls Section — Pahandi Leads Southern Province
The Girls section produced an equally thrilling title race, with E W W K Sehasna Pahandi emerging as Southern Province Girls champion with 6 points from seven rounds. Pahandi’s composed and confident 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 flourish.
E L Dihini Dihasa Liyanage finished as runner-up with 6 points on tie-break, while S Thimansa Kariyawasam claimed third place also on 6 points — both players producing excellent campaigns in a fiercely competitive Girls section. V M Vinudi Vathsandi Siriwardhana finished fourth with 5.5 points, followed by Sanupadi Sanaya Menikpura and Samidi Vithumya Perera Ranasinghe, both finishing with 5.5 points for fifth and sixth places respectively. ACM H W Thiseni Dinulya Wedage, H H Sanuthi, W A Dinuli Minthuli, and K D G Dinara Yeheni Methusari completed the top ten in an impressive Girls section that bodes very well for the future of junior women’s chess in the Southern Province.
The Galle District Chess Association deserves great credit for delivering a superbly organised provincial selection event. Tournament Director FI Gihan De Silva, Chief Arbiter FA D G D Chamil Thilakarathne, and Deputy Chief Arbiter NA R Navod Nethsara ensured that all seven rounds across both sections were conducted smoothly and professionally at Anuruddha Vidyalaya.
Congratulations to all the champions and participants of the Junior National Chess Championship 2026 — Southern Province. The future of Sri Lankan chess is in very capable hands, and we look forward to seeing these talented young players carry the Southern Province flag proudly onto the national stage. Keep playing, keep improving, and keep dreaming big! ♟️🇱🇰
