Hirantha and Ranga - novices shuttle champions

SAMPATH BANDARA

W. A. Hirantha Tillekeratne of Ceylinco Insurance and Ranga Deshapriya of Seylan Bank clinched the men's and women's singles titles respectively in the 27th Novices Badminton Championships, conducted by Mercantile Badminton Association, which concluded at the St. Thomas' Indoor Stadium, Mount Lavinia yesterday.

Hirantha Tillekeratne beat Lasantha Thilakawardena of McLarens by 21-18, 21-12 in the men's singles final.

Ranga Deshapriya beat Soroyo Miskin of HSBC by 21-14, 21-19 in the women's singles final

Mechelke Ratnayake of Eskimo Fashions, Negombo overcame Thanuja Kumuduni of Airport and Aviation by 21-7 and 21-5 in the women's veteran's singles while J. T. E. Wijesuriya of Commercial Bank beat Niroshan Fernando of John Keells by 21-19, 19-21 and 21-19 in the men's veterans singles final.

Women's veterans singles: D. Mechelke Rathnayake (Eskimo Fashions) beat K. G. Thanuja Kumuduni (Airport and Aviation) by 21-7, 21-5.

Men's veterans doubles: M. L. M. Perera and A. Mallawarachchi (Airport and Aviation) beat J. T. E. Wijesuriya and S. B. Wasala (Commercial Bank) by 15-21, 21-13, 21-19.

Men's veterans singles: J. T. E. Wijesuriya (Commercial Bank) overcome Niroshan Fernando by 21-19, 19-21 and 21-19.

Mixed doubles: Rashanga Fernando (Seylan Bank) and Chamika Wijesingha (Sampath Bank) overcame W. S. Randika Fernando and D. Mechelke Rathnayake (Eskimo Fashions).

Women's doubles: D. Mechelke Rathnayake (Eskimo Fashions) and Mareen Sishani Silva (Dialog Telecom) beat Sholini Hewakaparo (John Keells) and Rukshani Amarathunga (Dialog Teleom) by 21-19, 24-26 and 21-8.

Men's doubles: Ranga Amugodaarachchi and Roshanga Fernando (Seylan Bank) overcome Seevali Wickremasingha and Thushara Thomas (Ceylon PLC) by 24-22, 21-14.

Women's singles: Ranga Deshappriya (Seylan Bank) bet Soroyo Miskin (HSBC) by 21-14, 21-19.

Men's singles: Hirantha Tillekeratne (Ceylinco Insurance) overcame Lasantha Thilakawardena (McLarens) by 21-18, 21-12.