The Sri Lanka National Majors Chess Championship 2026 – Western Province brought some of the most competitive chess of the entire Majors series to Kandawala Maha Vidyalaya, Rathmalana from February 14 to 17, 2026. Organized by the Colombo District Chess Association, the event featured a large and talented field across both the Open and Women’s categories, all competing for crucial qualifying spots for the National B Championship.
The tournament was directed by Mr. Erosh Jayasinghe as Tournament Director, with IA Naditha Amarakoon serving as Chief Arbiter, supported by arbiters Sasindu Praveen Samarasekara and W. Perera. The Open category was contested over 9 rounds while the Women’s category was played over 8 rounds, both under the Swiss System format with the standard FIDE time control of 90 minutes plus 30 seconds increment per move from move 1, with full international rating calculation.
Open Category: CM Chandana Wijekoon Triumphs in a Thrilling Nine-Round Contest
With an average rating of 1538 and a field packed with rated players and title holders, the Western Province Open was always going to be one of the toughest tests of the Majors series. After nine hard-fought rounds, CM Chandana Wijekoon emerged as champion with a superb 8 points, edging out the competition on tie-break in what proved to be an intensely contested finish at the top of the table.
Losara Methyuga Kulatunge put together a phenomenal campaign, finishing as runner-up with 7.5 points — the best score among all non-champion finishers, and a result that announced him as one of the most dangerous players in the Western Province. Third place went to Lohas Rodrigo with 7 points, matching the score of fourth-placed Ruvin Sandharu Jayasooriya, with tie-break separating the two.
The top of the leaderboard was a battle of consistency and nerves. Dimuth Indeepa Samaraweera and S. D. Nadev Insara both finished with 6.5 points to claim fifth and sixth places respectively, joined by FM T S S Peiris who also scored 6.5 points in seventh — a timely reminder of his quality. Kisandu Randira Perera, Jayod Yasindu Rashmika Perera, and CM Chenitha Sihas Dinsara Karunasena rounded out the top ten, all finishing with 6.5 points in a remarkable logjam at the summit that made tie-break calculations crucial throughout the final rounds. AIM Nethsara A A T Dias, Aritha Gunasekera, and Yasiru Weerasinghe all scored 6.5 as well, underlining the extraordinary depth of quality in this year’s Western Province Open field.
Women’s Category: Thinuli Disansa Wijesinghe Claims the Crown
The Women’s section was equally gripping across its 8 rounds, with a field averaging a rating of 1460 and featuring several strong title holders. Thinuli Disansa Wijesinghe was the standout performer of the entire event, securing the Women’s title with an authoritative 7 points out of 8 — a score that left no doubt about who the deserving champion was. Her campaign combined precision, composure, and competitive instinct in equal measure, and she delivered when it mattered most.
Vaneesha Oshini Gomes J matched Wijesinghe’s 7-point total and pushed all the way to the end, claiming the runner-up position on tie-break. Gomes was particularly impressive in the latter stages of the tournament, winning her final four rounds in succession to stake her claim at the top. The battle between these two players was the defining storyline of the Women’s category.
Third place went to Sayumi Sithumila Halangoda with 6.5 points — a fine performance from the third-seeded player, who featured prominently throughout the tournament. Chanudi Praharsha Jayasinghe and Onara Sandithi Sahansa both scored 6 points to claim fourth and fifth places respectively. Chenaya Ekaratne — the top seed entering the tournament with a rating of 1696 — also finished with 6 points in sixth place, while AFM B A M Arachchi, AFM Bodhi Bandara, Nethumi Dihansa Perera S, and AIM Linuki H Thisenka all scored 6 points to complete a highly competitive top ten.
The Chess Federation of Sri Lanka and the Colombo District Chess Association deserve great credit for organising a well-run and competitive event.
Congratulations to all the champions, prize winners, and every participant who competed in the Sri Lanka National Majors Chess Championship 2026 – Western Province. We wish our qualifiers the very best as they prepare to represent the Western Province at the National B Championship. The road to the top continues — keep playing, keep improving! ♟️
