Ministry of Education Team 1, MAS Holdings, and Ministry of Education Team 2 Dominate at the Mercantile Government Services International Rating Chess Championship 2025 Blitz Event
The Mercantile Government Services International Rating Chess Championship 2025 Blitz Event took place on October 12, 2025 at the Sport Ministry Gym, Maitland Place, Colombo 07. Organized by the Mercantile Chess Association under the direction of tournament director Mr. Elath De Silva and chief arbiter IA Lalantha Viraj Mudalige, the championship featured intense competition among teams representing various government institutions and private sector organizations. The tournament was played under a seven-round Swiss team format with a rapid time control of 3 minutes plus 2 seconds increment per move from the start.
A total of 45 teams competed in this prestigious event, showcasing the growing interest in chess among Sri Lanka’s mercantile and government service sectors. The championship witnessed thrilling battles as teams fought for supremacy across all seven rounds.
In a closely contested tournament, Ministry of Education Team 1 emerged victorious with 12 match points and a game points score of 16.5. MAS Holdings secured the first runner-up position, also finishing with 12 match points but with 14 game points. Ministry of Education Team 2 claimed the second runner-up spot with 12 match points and 14 game points, placing third based on tie-break calculations. Pacifickode & Scientia and Sri Lankan Navy finished in fourth and fifth places respectively, both demonstrating strong performances throughout the tournament.
In the Women’s category, Sysco LABS Team A dominated the competition, claiming the championship title with an impressive performance. DFCC Bank Girls Team secured the first runner-up position with a strong showing throughout the tournament. Bank of Ceylon Women A finished as the second runner-up, rounding out the top three women’s teams in this competitive championship.
The championship featured several exciting encounters, with the decisive final round seeing Ministry of Education Team 1 face off against MAS Holdings in a battle for the title. Ministry of Education Team 1 secured a convincing 2.5-0.5 victory, with AFM Harsha Madushanka and Pasan Vindula Liyanapathirana scoring crucial wins on boards 1 and 2, while Ruvinda Wijesekara held the draw on board 3.
Team Members of Winning Teams
Ministry of Education Team 1
- Asiri Weerathilaka
- AFM Harsha Madushanka
- Pasan Vindula Liyanapathirana
- Ruvinda Wijesekara
MAS Holdings
- H M Karunanayake
- Ravi Prabath Dickmadugodage
- Minura V Munasinghe
- J M C B Rathgalla
Ministry of Education Team 2
- AFM Ruwan Prasanka Weerasinghe
- Y Danushka Priyadarshana
- N S Liyanage
Best Women’s Teams
Sysco LABS Team A
- H L S Chamika
- WFM S A K Chandrasiri
- W S T D Koggala
- T B S H Bandara
DFCC Bank Girls Team
- WCM Kavindi Senarath
- Tikiri Thotamune
- Lakshika Jayaweera
Bank of Ceylon Women A
- W Thilini Wathsala Wijerathna
- R M Chakila Madushani
- A M R U K Abeysekara
Outstanding Individual Performances
Several players delivered exceptional performances throughout the tournament. On Board 1, Sahan Gayashan De Silva from Brandix Team A and K L D J Perera from DFCC A both achieved perfect scores of 7 out of 7 games, displaying remarkable consistency and skill. On Board 2, Punsandu Guruge from Sampath Bank Team B also maintained a flawless record with 7 out of 7 points. C C Weerasinghe from Pacifickode & Scientia dominated Board 3 with a perfect 7 out of 7 score, while C K D Fonseka from Hatton National Bank Men’s Team impressed on Board 4 with 6 out of 7 points, achieving an 85% success rate.
The tournament showcased the depth of chess talent across Sri Lanka’s mercantile and government sectors, with teams representing banks, software companies, government ministries, and private corporations all competing at a high level. The event served as an excellent platform for players to earn international rating points and gain valuable competitive experience.
Congratulations to all the winners and participants for their outstanding performances and exemplary sportsmanship throughout this exciting championship.
