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Yasitha de Silva successfully defended Sri Lanka Tennis Nationals title in December. Photo Ishan Wanniarachchi[/caption]
Former ‘Anandian’, later a Colombo University alumni, the son of ex Bar Association President U.R. de Silva, and currently a business analyst at MAS, Yasitha de Silva, 26, successfully defended his Sri Lanka Tennis Nationals men’s singles championship 2021, on 20 December 2021, at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) in Colombo.
What happened in the Nationals 2021?
This time I won both the singles and the doubles. I beat Chathurya Nilaweera [7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 4-6] in the men’s singles final, for the second consecutive time, before winning the doubles too for the third time, partnering Thangarajah Dineshkanthan (they beat Vinuja Wijebandara and Mohammed Rostom Ali 6-1, 6-3 on 29 December 2021). I had won doubles before, in 2016 and 2017 too, partnering Sankha Atukorale.
The most memorable achievement?
Winning this year’s nationals (singles), after playing for Sri Lanka in the Davis Cup Group-III in Jordan. I was not initially planning to play a lot of tennis, because I started working. In Davis Cup, I managed to get a win for Sri Lanka against Jordan. We had a good chance of staying in Group-III, but unfortunately we came down (to Group-IV this year). And I managed to win the Nationals too. Winning the Nationals (singles) for the first time (in 2020) is always a special thing. But given the circumstances, practising during work, I’m really happy about my achievement this year.
What are you doing now?
Currently I’m working as a Business Analyst to the Group Operations Director at MAS, Mr. Priyantha Fernando, my boss, who himself is a tennis player. He gave me the opportunity to play tennis. I’m also reading for my Masters Degree at the University of Colombo.
What is the future from here?
Marriage of course is not in my radar at the moment. As a first step, I’m going to try to play Davis Cup this year. I hear that in June, Sri Lanka is likely to host the tournament. If that happens, I’m trying to make myself available for selection, and play with the team to get Sri Lanka to Group-III again. That is my main target at the moment. Depending on my level of play and my work status, I might also continue to play the National later in the year.
Whom do you thank for your achievements thus far?
The biggest thank should go to my coach Mr. Niranjan Casie Chitty (who played Davis Cup in 1985). When I met him first, I was not a good player at all. I’ve been playing with him for almost 11 years now. And my parents - father U.R. de Silva and mother Badra-, my brother Anjana, and our home maid Sumanawathie. Special thank must go to my boss Priyantha Fernando for giving me the opportunity to practise for the Davis Cup and then the Nationals. I must also thank my school Ananda College and the University of Colombo.
Yasitha de Silva successfully defended Sri Lanka Tennis Nationals title in December. Photo Ishan Wanniarachchi[/caption]
Former ‘Anandian’, later a Colombo University alumni, the son of ex Bar Association President U.R. de Silva, and currently a business analyst at MAS, Yasitha de Silva, 26, successfully defended his Sri Lanka Tennis Nationals men’s singles championship 2021, on 20 December 2021, at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) in Colombo.
What happened in the Nationals 2021?
This time I won both the singles and the doubles. I beat Chathurya Nilaweera [7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 4-6] in the men’s singles final, for the second consecutive time, before winning the doubles too for the third time, partnering Thangarajah Dineshkanthan (they beat Vinuja Wijebandara and Mohammed Rostom Ali 6-1, 6-3 on 29 December 2021). I had won doubles before, in 2016 and 2017 too, partnering Sankha Atukorale.
The most memorable achievement?
Winning this year’s nationals (singles), after playing for Sri Lanka in the Davis Cup Group-III in Jordan. I was not initially planning to play a lot of tennis, because I started working. In Davis Cup, I managed to get a win for Sri Lanka against Jordan. We had a good chance of staying in Group-III, but unfortunately we came down (to Group-IV this year). And I managed to win the Nationals too. Winning the Nationals (singles) for the first time (in 2020) is always a special thing. But given the circumstances, practising during work, I’m really happy about my achievement this year.
What are you doing now?
Currently I’m working as a Business Analyst to the Group Operations Director at MAS, Mr. Priyantha Fernando, my boss, who himself is a tennis player. He gave me the opportunity to play tennis. I’m also reading for my Masters Degree at the University of Colombo.
What is the future from here?
Marriage of course is not in my radar at the moment. As a first step, I’m going to try to play Davis Cup this year. I hear that in June, Sri Lanka is likely to host the tournament. If that happens, I’m trying to make myself available for selection, and play with the team to get Sri Lanka to Group-III again. That is my main target at the moment. Depending on my level of play and my work status, I might also continue to play the National later in the year.
Whom do you thank for your achievements thus far?
The biggest thank should go to my coach Mr. Niranjan Casie Chitty (who played Davis Cup in 1985). When I met him first, I was not a good player at all. I’ve been playing with him for almost 11 years now. And my parents - father U.R. de Silva and mother Badra-, my brother Anjana, and our home maid Sumanawathie. Special thank must go to my boss Priyantha Fernando for giving me the opportunity to practise for the Davis Cup and then the Nationals. I must also thank my school Ananda College and the University of Colombo.