The cool hill air of Kandy carried the quiet click of chess clocks all weekend long as the Sri Lanka Schools Chess Association staged its Special Selection Tournament 2026 at the National Institute of Co-operative Development (NICD) in Polgolla on the 6th and 7th of July. Across twelve age categories, from tiny Under-07 competitors born in 2019 and 2020 to seasoned Under-17 juniors, the country’s finest schoolchildren gathered under one roof to test their skill, courage and concentration.
Each section was played as a six-round Swiss-System event, with a standard time control of 60 minutes plus a 30-second increment per move from move one — enough time for deep thinking, yet demanding real stamina over two intense days. The tournament was organised by the Sri Lanka Schools Chess Association under the Sri Lankan federation, with Mr. Manjula Bandara Tennakoon serving as Tournament Director. IA Sanjula Ravinath took charge as Chief Arbiter, supported by Deputy Chief Arbiter IA Tharindu Weerasekara and a dedicated team of arbiters who kept every board running smoothly.
The youngest sections produced some of the most remarkable stories. In the Under-07 Boys, Sadew Theshan Fernando stormed to a perfect six wins from six games, but his gold was anything but comfortable — Iyun Akelya Senevirathne also finished on a flawless 6/6, with the title decided only on the finest of tiebreaks. The Under-07 Girls mirrored that drama exactly, as Thenuji Thehasna Dissanayaka and Bivindi Asaliya Randeniya both swept all six rounds, the championship again settled by a whisker. For children so young to hold their nerve across an entire weekend is nothing short of extraordinary.
The Under-09 Boys belonged to Sayuru Lonindu Jayasuriya, who was simply unstoppable. Racing to a perfect score, he overcame the higher-rated AFM Dihela Thevin Wijesinghe along the way — a statement performance that announced a real talent to watch. In the Under-09 Girls, Dinaya Resadi led from the front, dropping just half a point on her way to 5.5, ahead of Senuli Suhasna Arambegedara and Nuthara Ramithri Wijeratne.
Among the Under-11s, the top seeds delivered. AFM Rivinu Dihas Nethmira Wickramage conceded only a final-round draw to finish on 5.5 in the Boys’ section, holding off Saruksayan Sasimaran and Vihanga Madhara Herath. In the Girls’ event, WCM Sayumi Sithumila Halangoda justified her billing with 5.5 points, edging a spirited chase from Roshel Jennifer Karunarathnage.
Nowhere was the competition tighter than in the Under-13 Boys, where the top three all finished locked on 4.5 points. In a section packed with draws between the leaders, I. M. N. S. Ilangasinghe emerged with gold on tiebreak, pipping the highly-rated CM Thehas Rithmitha Kiringoda and AIM Lithula Raveesh Perumpuli Arachchi — proof that rating alone counts for little once the pieces come out. The Under-13 Girls saw Vaneesha Oshini Gomes save her best for last, winning a decisive final-round clash to claim the title on 5.5.
The older groups offered their own share of upsets. In the Under-15 Boys, Jithen K. A. Chalinu navigated a demanding field to top the standings on 5 points. ACM Hansadie Aradhya Akuratiya ruled the Under-15 Girls with five straight wins before a final-round setback still left her clear at the top. Perhaps the biggest surprise came in the Under-17 Boys, where Sethun Neththaru Manuwaruna outshone a field that included FM Dishal Nimsara Weerasekara, the highest-rated player of the section, who had to settle for a share of the podium. And in the Under-17 Girls, WFM Esandi Newansa produced a near-flawless display, sweeping to 5.5 points and confirming her status as one of the country’s brightest prospects.
The atmosphere throughout the weekend was warm, focused and full of promise. Parents and coaches watched anxiously from the sidelines while their young players learned the timeless lessons the game teaches best — patience, resilience and grace in both victory and defeat. As a national schools selection event, the tournament carries real weight, opening doors for these children to represent Sri Lanka on bigger stages in the months ahead.
Warmest congratulations to all twelve champions, to every medallist and finalist, and to each and every young player who sat down to compete. Your courage over the board, whatever your final score, is what makes Sri Lankan schools chess so special. A heartfelt thank you, too, to the organisers, arbiters, coaches and families who made the weekend possible.
