COMMANDER’S CUP – 2026 CONCLUDES AT PICTURESQUE EAGLES GOLF LINKS IN CHINA BAY
The Sri Lanka Air Force and the Eagles’ Golf Links hosted the Commander’s Cup - 2026 Annual Golf Tournament, which was concluded yesterday (21 February 2026) in the picturesque settings of China Bay, close to the harbour city of Trincomalee. The tournament was powered by Dialog Enterprise as the Exclusive Main Sponsor which made it much more glamorous and memorable for the participants.
The tournament, played under ‘Handicap rules’ was open to all and started off at 0700 hrs with the participation of nearly hundred enthusiastic golfers from both local and foreign. The Chairman Air Force Golf, Air Commodore Erandika Gunewardene participated for the first Tee-Off signifying the start of the tournament.
Mr. Marcos Gomez Chicano won the Commander's Cup trophy, securing the highest marks in the Gents category, while Ms. Niloo Jayatilake won the Ladies' Trophy. Mr. Derrick Ponnambalam secured the Runners-Up position in the Gents Category while Mrs. Roshini Sangani secured the Ladies’ Runners-Up position. Maj Gen Srinath Rajapakshe (Retd) and Mr. Anthony Fernandopulle received the awards for the longest drive and the nearest to the pin in the Gents’ Category, while Mrs. Jade Jiggens and Ms. Manori Jayakody took the honours for the longest drive and the nearest to the pin, respectively, in the Ladies’ Category. Group Captain Prabath Wijekoon adjudged both the Six Hidden Holes Award and Commander’s Island Green Award. The Wooden Spoon was received by Mr. Bandula Senarathne. To encourage participation from lower handicappers, two awards for "Gross Winner" were also included for both Men’s and Women’s categories. Mr. Derrick Ponnambalam secured the award for the Gross Winner in the Men’s category while Mrs. Jade Jiggens received the award for the Gross Winner in the Women’s category.
The Eagles’ Challenge Trophy presented to members of the Tri-Services (Men’s Category) was won by Group Captain Prabath Wijekoon from the Sri Lanka Air Force. Captain Thushara Jayawardana emerged as the Runner-Up for the Eagles’ Challenge Trophy in Men’s Category. Squadron Leader Asela De Silva secured the award for the longest drive and Group Captain Prabath Wijekoon secured the award for the nearest to the pin in the Eagles’ Challenge Trophy Men’s segment while Wing Commander KAPS Laksmi secured the award for the Longest Drive (Defence) Women’s segment.
The awards of this year’s Commander’s Cup—2026 were given away at a gala Awards Ceremony held at ‘Club House’ during the evening of the same day. The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe along with his lady, Mrs. Krishanthi Edirisinghe, graced this year’s tournament.
The Main Exclusive Sponsor, Group Chief Officer of Dialog Enterprise, Mr. Naveen Pieris, past Commanders of the Air Force participated, Director General Welfare, Air Vice Marshal Rajinth Jayewardene as special guests for this year’s edition of the Commander’s Cup Awards Ceremony.
All participants of the tournament departed the scenic China Bay today (22 February 2026) with a load of fun-filled memories from this year’s event, which is a milestone as the 13th iteration of the Commander’s Cup Golf Tournament.
The tournament, played under ‘Handicap rules’ was open to all and started off at 0700 hrs with the participation of nearly hundred enthusiastic golfers from both local and foreign. The Chairman Air Force Golf, Air Commodore Erandika Gunewardene participated for the first Tee-Off signifying the start of the tournament.
Mr. Marcos Gomez Chicano won the Commander's Cup trophy, securing the highest marks in the Gents category, while Ms. Niloo Jayatilake won the Ladies' Trophy. Mr. Derrick Ponnambalam secured the Runners-Up position in the Gents Category while Mrs. Roshini Sangani secured the Ladies’ Runners-Up position. Maj Gen Srinath Rajapakshe (Retd) and Mr. Anthony Fernandopulle received the awards for the longest drive and the nearest to the pin in the Gents’ Category, while Mrs. Jade Jiggens and Ms. Manori Jayakody took the honours for the longest drive and the nearest to the pin, respectively, in the Ladies’ Category. Group Captain Prabath Wijekoon adjudged both the Six Hidden Holes Award and Commander’s Island Green Award. The Wooden Spoon was received by Mr. Bandula Senarathne. To encourage participation from lower handicappers, two awards for "Gross Winner" were also included for both Men’s and Women’s categories. Mr. Derrick Ponnambalam secured the award for the Gross Winner in the Men’s category while Mrs. Jade Jiggens received the award for the Gross Winner in the Women’s category.
The Eagles’ Challenge Trophy presented to members of the Tri-Services (Men’s Category) was won by Group Captain Prabath Wijekoon from the Sri Lanka Air Force. Captain Thushara Jayawardana emerged as the Runner-Up for the Eagles’ Challenge Trophy in Men’s Category. Squadron Leader Asela De Silva secured the award for the longest drive and Group Captain Prabath Wijekoon secured the award for the nearest to the pin in the Eagles’ Challenge Trophy Men’s segment while Wing Commander KAPS Laksmi secured the award for the Longest Drive (Defence) Women’s segment.
The awards of this year’s Commander’s Cup—2026 were given away at a gala Awards Ceremony held at ‘Club House’ during the evening of the same day. The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe along with his lady, Mrs. Krishanthi Edirisinghe, graced this year’s tournament.
The Main Exclusive Sponsor, Group Chief Officer of Dialog Enterprise, Mr. Naveen Pieris, past Commanders of the Air Force participated, Director General Welfare, Air Vice Marshal Rajinth Jayewardene as special guests for this year’s edition of the Commander’s Cup Awards Ceremony.
All participants of the tournament departed the scenic China Bay today (22 February 2026) with a load of fun-filled memories from this year’s event, which is a milestone as the 13th iteration of the Commander’s Cup Golf Tournament.
