Dharmaratne of CTSCC claims NSSF Skeet Open title
Shankar Dharmaratne of Clay Target Shooting Club of Colombo (CTSCC) maintained his authority to complete the mission of becoming champion of the NSSF Skeet Open Meet 2025 held at the CTSCC Shotgun Range in Payagala. Dharmaratne, who finished among the top four alongside top finishers Jeremy Fernando, Shehan Patterson and Johann Fernando, all representing CTSCC, outsmarted the rest in the finals to complete on top with 47 points. His team-mate Jeremy Fernando accumulated 43 points and emerged runner-up, while title holder Shehan Patterson had to settle in at third with 37 points.
Skeet Open 2025 winner Shankar Dharmaratne (centre) flanked by silver medallist Jeremy Fernando (left) and Shehan Patterson (right), who took the third position
In the Senior Male category however, Johann Fernando of CTSCC edged past team mate and runner-up Shehan Patterson by a whisker to earn the top position, while overall winner Dharmaratne had to settle in at third. Johnston Fernando claimed the Super Senior title representing Negombo Rifle Shooting Club. Clay Target Shooting Club of Colombo, with an overall tally of 83 points, claimed the Teams Category title with ease. Overall winner Shankar Dharmaratne, Jeremy Fernando and Shehan Patterson represented the winning CTSCC team.
Most of the top ranked clay target shooters registered under clubs affiliated to National Shooting Sport Federation of Sri Lanka (NSSF) competed in this year’s NSSF Skeet Open Meet 2025, which was held over two days at Payagala. The event was organised and conducted by NSSF under the leadership of President Shirantha Peries, with Mohan Gilbert, Vice President Shotgun, as Competition Director and Assistant Secretary Dinesh Lionel as Assistant Competition Director.