The 37th Sri Lanka Junior National Squash Championship 2026, organised by the Squash Federation of Sri Lanka, was concluded successfully from 3rd to 12th July 2026 at the Air Force Squash Complex, Rathmalana. The championship brought together over 250 young athletes from more than 20 leading schools across the country, showcasing the exceptional talent and competitive spirit of junior squash in Sri Lanka.

The tournament drew participation from several of the country’s leading schools, including Royal College, Visakha Vidyalaya, Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya, D.S. Senanayake College, Ananda College, Ladies’ College, and many other reputed institutions.

Representing Gateway College, thirteen talented squash players competed with great determination, discipline, and sportsmanship, achieving remarkable success across multiple age categories.

Outstanding Achievements:

Manuth Dassanayake

Manuth Dassanayake delivered an outstanding performance, securing both the Boys’ Under-17 and Boys’ Under-19 Championship titles. His achievements earned him the prestigious Junior Boy Player of the Year 2026 award.

In the Under-17 final, Manuth defeated Nevan Rubasinghe of Royal College 12/10, 11/3, 11/6.

The Under-19 final was a display of remarkable resilience, as Manuth staged an impressive comeback after trailing two games to love against Matheesha Wijesekara of Royal College, ultimately winning 6/11, 7/11, 11/5, 12/10, 11/8.

Sithumli Mendis

Sithumli Mendis produced an excellent performance, finishing as Girls’ Under-17 Runner-up and taking third place in the Girls’ Under-19 category. She was also awarded Most Promising Girl Player of the Year 2026.

In the Under-17 final against Ifra Booso of St. Paul’s Girls’ School, Milagiriya, Sithumli fought back after losing the first two games but narrowly finished as runner-up, 7/11, 11/13, 11/5, 11/6, 11/6.

In the Under-19 third-place playoff, she defeated higher-seeded senior player Adithi Gunasekara of Ladies’ College 9/11, 11/9, 11/8, 11/7 to secure third place.

Chanumi Thebuwena

Chanumi Thebuwena achieved outstanding success, becoming the Girls’ Under-15 Champion and securing third place in the Girls’ Under-17 category.

She defeated Thedara Liyanage of Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya 11/6, 11/6, 15/13 in the Under-17 third-place playoff.

In the Under-15 final, Chanumi showed excellent skill and composure to defeat Dinithma Mihely of Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya 15/13, 11/8, 11/5, claiming the championship title.

Gateway College Prize Winners

• Manuth Dassanayake – Boys’ Under-17 Champion, Boys’ Under-19 Champion, Junior Boy Player of the Year 2026
• Sithumli Mendis – Girls’ Under-17 Runner-up, Girls’ Under-19 Third Place, Most Promising Girl Player of the Year 2026
• Chanumi Thebuwena – Girls’ Under-15 Champion, Girls’ Under-17 Third Place
• Anuk Perera – Boys’ Under-11, 7th Place
• Samuel Wright – Boys’ Under-11 Novices Champion
• Sanalya Pathirana – Girls’ Under-11 Novices Champion
• SesheeAlagiyawanna – Girls’ Under-11 Novices, 4th Place

The Gateway College team was represented by: Manuth Dassanayake, Dillon Perukanda, Yolen Withanage, Ravith Mendis, Ranuk Mendis, Jehantha Perera, Anuk Perera, Samuel Wright, Sithumli Mendis, Chanumi Thebuwena, Khrisha Rishanthan, Sanalya Pathirana, and SesheeAlagiyawanna.