The southern coast of Sri Lanka has long been a cradle of talent, and from June 19 to 21, 2026, that talent burst into full bloom at Rajapaksa Central College, Weeraketiya, as the Southern Province chapter of the SLSCA Individual Chess Championship 2026 brought together hundreds of the region’s brightest young minds for three days of intense, unforgettable chess.
Organised by the Sri Lanka Schools Chess Association (SLSCA) under the federation of Sri Lanka, the championship is the country’s premier school-level individual event — a stage where dreams begin and futures are quietly shaped. The Southern Province leg ran in sixteen age categories, from Under 06 right up to Under 20, in both boys’ and girls’ sections. Most groups followed a 7-round Swiss-System format, while the smaller Under 18 sections were contested as Round Robins. Every game was played under a standard time control of 60 minutes plus a 30-second increment from move one, giving players the room to think deeply and play their best chess.
The event was steered by Tournament Directors Mr. Yasas Samarasinghe and Mr. Nimal Ambepitiya, whose careful coordination kept the long playing hall running like clockwork. The arbiting team was led by Chief Arbiter IA D G D Chamil Thilakarathne, supported by Deputy Chief Arbiters IA Gihan Perera and FA Ranjan Lasantha, along with Pairings Arbiter FA R Navod Nethsara and a strong panel of national arbiters. Their professionalism gave players, parents, and coaches complete confidence throughout.
The chess itself was breathtaking. In the Under 06 Boys, Hiruja Sihasara Wijesinghe stormed through with a flawless 7/7, with A M Sehas Dewdun and K A Sathindu Dahammeth sharing 6 points behind him. The Under 06 Girls saw G Binuli Hasanya of Galle take a perfect 6/6, ahead of M W Vihana Shanuli De Silva and Tenuji Okithma Nethusadi Godawaththa. The Under 08 Boys crown went to W A Dewun Ahansa Fernando on 7/7, with R P Himaru Vihas Rathnaweera also on a perfect score but second on tie-break, and P L Vihangum Sri Sahaskara third on 6½.
The girls’ sections produced thrilling battles. In the Under 08 Girls, AFM Himandi Sehansa De Silva Rajaratne and K K A Yenuli Ihansa both hit 7/7, with Rajaratne edging it on tie-break; W Kenuli Ranulya rounded out the podium. The Under 10 Boys belonged to K Rivinu Dewhan Tilakawardena (7/7), followed by D G Yosith Methmithu and P Y Mithum Lohas Dinsitha Wimalathunga. The Under 10 Girls title went to ACM L H Sayuni Induwari De Silva on 6½, with AFM P K Adithi Ransala and ACM S A Sanoli Harshadi taking silver and bronze.
The middle age groups were just as competitive. K D Tharun Insith Premachandra lifted the Under 12 Boys crown with 7/7, ahead of W P Sendul Ranhas Abeywardana and AFM U P A Jalina Basuru Gunarathne. M D Sanuli Nehansa Dodangoda dominated the Under 12 Girls with another perfect 7/7, with R B Hasadi Sethumsa and K A Chanumi Janulya completing the top three. In the Under 14 Boys, Sanuk Nanayakkara held off AFM P Y Sethika Chandul Dhamsana and K A Chalinu Jithen with 6½/7, while the Under 14 Girls saw M Lithuli Chanara Ravisinghe, Upeja Evindi Wijesooriya, and R B Pumudi Hansadi all tie on 6 points with the title decided on tie-break.
The teenagers brought championship-level chess. M A Methula Aken Weerasooriya clinched the Under 16 Boys ahead of CM G Haritha Hansana and AFM Nithum Randira Edirisinghe, while R K Nuthara Thewmali took the Under 16 Girls with 5½/6, followed by N W K Tanudi Amasha and Senethma Dewmi Randeniya. In the Under 18 Boys Round Robin, Sanhitha Minrada Kalansuriya went unbeaten with 3/3, with Himesh Nimsara Gamage and P H Kaveesh Ashen De Silva completing the podium. The Under 18 Girls saw N D Hasareli Hasanjana sweep to a perfect score, ahead of E P Sithumi Devindi and Hashinika Saheli Kumarawadu.
The atmosphere across all three days was electric — focused silence broken by the soft tick of clocks, then bursts of joy as young winners ran into the arms of their parents and coaches. Heartiest congratulations to every champion, every podium finisher, and every single player who walked into Weeraketiya with courage. The South has produced another wave of stars — and Sri Lankan chess is richer for it.
