16-year-old champion shuttler Ranithma Liyanage triumphs at NSF

By Susil Premalal

Reigning national champion Ranithma Liyanage stamped her class by winning the singles and doubles titles at the women’s badminton event of the 47th National Sports Festival.  

The 16-year-old student of Christchurch Girls’ College Baddegama said after her victory, that her dream is to win a Gold medal for Sri Lanka in the upcoming World Junior Badminton Championship and the Asian Junior Badminton Championship.  

Liyanage won the women’s badminton doubles title representing the Southern Province at the festival held at the Sri Lanka Badminton courts. She was also crowned the Best Player of the tournament.  

In the women’s singles finals, Liyanage beat Praveena Wijesundara from Wayamba Province and later on teamed up with Nadeesha Gayathri to defeat Kavindi Ishadika and Buthmi Galagamage from Western Province in the women’s doubles finals.  

Apart from winning the women’s singles and doubles championship at the 70th National Badminton Championship in January, Liyanage also won the Under 17 title at the 38th Junior Badminton Championships.