Niluka in line for a triple crown

The Karunaratne brothers Dinuka and Niluka will meet in the final of the men's singles final event at the 59th Badminton Nationals Championship conducted at the Royal College Sports Complex Badminton courts, at Stanley Wijesundera Mawatha, Colombo today.

Defending champion for over a decade, Niluka Karunarante has entered the final of all three events and is in line for the triple crown. In the first men's semi - final Dinuka Karunaratne beat Lasitha Menaka 21-16, 21-9 while his brother Niluka Karunaratne got the better of Nuwan Hettiarachchi 21-6, 21-9 in the second semi final.

The finals have been advanced to 1.00 pm and the Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage will be the chief guest.

[Results all semi finals ]

Men's singles semi finals: Dinuka Karunaratne beat Lasitha Menaka 21-16,21-9 Niluka Karunaratne beat Nuwan Hettiarachchi 21-6, 21-9.

Men's doubles semi finals: R.S.Dahanayake and Hasitha Chanaka beat Nuwan Hattiarachchi and Kasun 21-9,22-20 Niluka and Dinuka Karunaratne beat Uditha 21-10, 21-16.

Women's Singles: Achini Ratnasiri beat Kavidi Ishadika 21-16,21-15 Thilini Pramodhika beat Nadeesha Gayanthi 21-19, 21-8

Women's doubles semi finals: Achini Ratnasiri and Upuli Samanthika beat Lekha Shehani and Thilini Jayasinghe 21-14, 221-13.

Chadrika de Silva and Susmika beat punisha and Manishi 12-21,21-16.

Mixed doubles: Nuwan Hettiarachchi and Achini Ratnasiri beat Hasitha and Thilini Jayasinghe 21-18,21-8. Niluka Karunaratne and Kavidi beat Chandrika de Silva and Lasitha Menaka 21-15,21-14.

(RA).