Buddhasiri and Namal clinch a triple crown each

Sanjaya Ariyaratne

The husband and wife combination of W.A. Buddhasiri and Namal Gunesekera clinched a triple crown each at the veterans All Island Open Table Tennis Championships 2007/2008 which was concluded at Race Course Hall, Colombo on last Sunday.

W.A. Buddhasiri of Tibhar sports club won the men’s over 50 singles title by beating Sarath Wijesooriya 3/0, then partnered by Dr. G.N. Lucas he clinched the men’s over 50 doubles title by overcoming M.M.M. Laffeer and Fida Hussain 2/0.

He also won the mixed doubles title partnering his wife Namal Gunesekera of Lake House when they beat Rajiva Wijetunge and Nilmini Swarnakanthi 2/0.

Former women’s national champion Namal Gunesekera of Lake House sports club won the over 40 women’s singles title by beating Nilmini Swarnakanthi 3/0. Namal partnered by her team mate Champa de Silva over came Ama Suraweera and Pushpa Colombathantri in the women’s open doubles 2/0.

Over 50 men’s singles: W.A. Buddhasiri beat Sarath Wijesooriya 3/0, Over 40 men’s singles: Lalith Priyantha Beat Gamini Moraes 3/0.

Over 50 women’s singles: Ira Ruwanpathirana beat Ama Suraweera 3/1.

Over 40 women’s singles: Namal Gunesekera beat Nilmini Swarnakanthi 3/0.

Over 40 men’s doubles: Rajiva Wijetunge and Sarath Wijesooriya beat Lalith Priyantha and C.K. Siriwardene 2/0.

Over 50 men’s doubles: W.A. Buddhasiri and Dr. G.N. Lucas beat M.M.M. Laffeer and Fida Hussain 2/0.

Open women’s doubles: Namal Gunesekera and Champa de Silva beat Ama Suraweera and Pushpa Colomathantri 2/0.

Open mixed doubles: W.A. Buddhasiri and Namal Gunesekera beat Rajiva Wijetunge and Nilmini Swarnakanthi 2/0.