Sri Lanka Badminton has announced the junior and senior National squads, comprising exceptional athletes who have placed themselves on the forefront of the rankings both locally and internationally.
The senior men’s badminton squad consists of 28 players, including 6 singles and 14 doubles pairs. Similarly, the senior women’s badminton squad comprises 5 singles and 30 doubles players, making up a total of 15 pairs.
Lochana de Silva, the current leader in national rankings, and Ashinsa Herath, who holds the fourth position in senior rankings and the second position in the under-19 category, are included in both singles and doubles squads. Furthermore, Rashmi Mudalige, ranked third in the senior women’s category and second in the under-19 category, Praveena Wijesundara who holds the second position in the national senior rankings, Ranumi Manage, ranked fifth in the national senior rankings and leading in the under-17 category, have been selected for the singles as well as the women’s doubles squads.
The composition of the squads also took into account the recommendations of the National Committee for Badminton Squads, which aided in the selection of other deserving players.
Moreover, the junior girls and boys squads have been formed by including top-ranked players from the under-19, under-17, and under-15 categories.
Senior national squad
Men’s Singles: Lochana De Silva, Savinaka Weerasekera, Jason Homer, Ashinsa Herath, Viren Nettasinghe, Buwaneka Goonethilleke, Dumindu Abeywickrama
Women’s Singles – Praveena Wijesundara, Rashmi Mudalige, Varangana Jayawardena, Ranithma Liyanage, Ranumi Manage
Men’s Doubles: Dinura Rashmika/Lahiru Weerasinghe, Hansa de Silva/Yohan Weerasuriya, Sajeed Majeed/Manthuka Rupathunga, Vishan Fernando/Dulaj Uluvitige, Hasaranga Suriyaarachchi / T. Charles, Ashinsa Herath / Vidusha Sumanadasa, Achintya Imesh / Pasindu Peiris, Harith Reshan / Akindu Jayathilake, Lochana Perera / RPS Ratnayake, Sanjula Handapangoda / Thilina Rajakaruna, Shenuk Samararatne / Pulina Vellalage, N. Randeepa / Chonidha Lakhiru, Shamal Akash / Tejana Herath, Janeesha De Silva / Mihila Jayaweera.
Women’s Doubles: Kavindika de Silva, Buthmi Galagamage/Madhushika Dilrukshi, Hasara Wijeratne/Hasini Ambalangodage, Kavindi Sirimannage/, Irushi Amandi / Praveena Wijesundara, Rashmi Mudalige/Natasha Gunasekara, N. Palliyaguru/Sanadi Dhammasa, Tisuni Liyanarachchi/L. Umagaliyage, Ranumi Manage/Tiseja Herath, Dinethya Jayandi/Devni Ubesiriwardena, Sandathi Devmini/Dilini Ambalangoda, Sandaruvi Jayalath/Ralindi Umagaliya, Isuri Attanayake/Sethumi de Silva, Sanuti Gurusinghe/Pavani Ileperumaarachi, Dihini Mendis/Sanjeevakumar Lukshana
Junior Athletes Squad
BOYS: Sachin Fernando, Mahen Wijesundara, Harith Reshan, Thidasa Weragoda, Hiruka Sahanmit, Pulina Vellalage, Thilina Rajakaruna, Senuth Sethmina, Pamudu Randiligama, Tejana Herath
GIRLS: Nethanga Palliaguru, Isuri de Alvis, Situki Onadi, Sandati Devmini, Dilini Ambalangoda, Vishwani Wanniarachchi, Nethmi Amaya Ratnayake, Situli Ranasinghe, Sanjeevakumar Lukshana