Colombo, SRI LANKA, June 16, 2025 (ePRESS) – Sri Lanka’s four-member national squash team, led by men’s national champion Ravindu Laksiri and women’s champion Chanithma Sinaly, has left for Kuching, Sarawak in Malaysia to take part in the prestigious 23rd Asian Senior Squash Championship from June 17 to 21.
The five-day tournament, organized by the Asian Squash Federation, brings together Asia’s best squash players in both the men’s and women’s categories. Representing Sri Lanka are four top players: Ravindu Laksiri, Nevindu Lakman, Chanithma Sinaly, and Yeheni Kuruppu.
All four players are proud products of leading Sri Lankan squash playing schools. Laksiri and Lakman are former players of DS Senanayake College, while Sinaly is from Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya and Kuruppu is an old girl of Visakha Vidyalaya.
In the 49-player men’s draw, Ravindu Laksiri has been seeded 11th, based on his PSA World Ranking of 107. He will carry Sri Lanka’s biggest hopes in the tournament. Laksiri, known for his speed, fitness and court craft, will aim to push deep into the main rounds despite strong competition from the top 10 PSA-ranked players in Asia.
The top seed in the men’s category is local favourite Ng Eain Yow of Malaysia, who is currently ranked 10th in the world and is a major title contender. The rest of the top seeds are also seasoned PSA professionals ranked inside the world’s top 100.
Nevindu Lakman, ranked 422 in the PSA World Rankings, has been seeded 32nd in the draw. Though a tough draw awaits him, Lakman has been training hard and could cause an upset if he gets into rhythm early.
In the 38-player women’s draw, both Sri Lankan female players are tightly ranked and closely seeded.
Chanithma Sinaly, the reigning national champion, is seeded 19th with a PSA ranking of 184, while Yeheni Kuruppu, the national runner-up, follows closely behind with a seed of 20 and a PSA ranking of 185.
Both players are young and energetic, with strong local rivalry that has now turned into international ambition. Their experience at junior and senior level competitions will be vital as they aim to go beyond the early rounds.
Top seed in the women’s division is Malaysia’s Rachel Arnold, who is ranked 19th in the PSA World Rankings and is expected to dominate on home soil.
This championship will be a true test for Sri Lanka’s squash team as they face some of Asia’s finest athletes. For Laksiri and Sinaly, this is also a valuable opportunity to gain more international exposure and ranking points on the PSA circuit.
The Sri Lanka Squash Federation has placed high hopes on this group, with special emphasis on fitness, skill development and match preparation in the lead-up to the championship.
As the matches get underway tomorrow in Kuching, Sri Lanka’s squash fans will be watching closely, hoping that their national champions can rise to the occasion and bring pride to the country.
