By Susil Premalal

Thilini Hendahewa bagged a triple crown while Dinuka Karunaratne clinched the Men’s Singles title at the 65th National Badminton Championships which concluded at the Royal College Sports Complex in Reid Avenue on Sunday.

Thilini produced a fine performance to win the Women’s Open Singles, Women’s Open Doubles and the Mixed Open Doubles titles and went on to complete a memorable tournament.

In the Women’s Open Singles final she defeated Hasini Ambalangodage 21-14, 21-10 and later she combined with Kavindi Ishadika to beat the pair of Achini Rathnasiri and Upuli Weerasinghe 22-9, 22-20 in the Women’s Open Doubles final.

Thilini also had the satisfaction of winning the Mixed Doubles title as she combined with Sachin Dias to beat the combination of Vibavi Madusha and Upuli Weerasinghe 21-12, 21-19.

Meanwhile, Dinuka Karunaratne took the Men’s Singles title with a convincing 21-18, 21-8 win over Buwaneka Goonathilaka in the final encounter.

However, Goonathilaka had the satisfaction of winning the Men’s Doubles title along with his partner Sachin Dias as they defeated the pair of Vibavi Madusha and Imesh Hasaranga 21-11, 21-18 in the final.

Results (finals):
Men's Singles: Dinuka Karunaratne beat Buwaneka Goonathilaka 21/18, 21/8
Men's Doubles: Sachin Dias and Buwaneka Goonathilaka beat Vibavi Madusha and Imesh Hasaranga 21/11, 21/18
Women's Singles: Thilini Hendahewa beat Hasini Ambalangodage 21/14, 21/10
Women's Doubles: Thilini Hendahewa and Kavindi Ishadika beat Achini Rathnasiri and Upuli Weerasinghe 21/9, 22/20
Mixed Doubles: Sachin Dias and Thilini Hendahewa beat Vibavi Madusha and Upuli Weerasinghe 21/12, 21/19
Boys’ Under-13 Singles: Manthuka Rupasinghe beat Sanjana Devasurendra 15/12, 17/19, 15/12
Girls’ Under-13 Singles: Senudi Lavandi beat Dewmi Mithara 15/13, 15/13
Boys’ Under-15 Singles: Dumindu Abeywickrama beat Viren Nettasinghe 21/18, 17/21, 24/22
Girls’ Under-15 Singles: Ruvani Muthumali beat Yeheli Kuruppu 21/18, 21/15
Boys’ Under-17 Singles: Lochana de Silva beat Rasindu Hendahewa 17/21, 21/18, 24/22
Girls’ Under-17 Singles: Dilmi Dias beat Jananuwani Amanda 21/18, 21/7
Boys’ Under-19 Singles: Ranthushka Sasindu beat Rashan Mendis 21/13, 21/10
Girls’ Under-19 Singles: Hasini Ambalangodage beat Hasara Wijerathna 16/21, 21/15, 23/2