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Ten outstanding young people will receive the TOYP award of Jaycees at the BMICH on October 24. The winners will be recognised for their exemplary achievements in their field and could go up to win the International TOYP Award, like the world-renowned artist Senaka Senanayaka.

The Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) award is presented worldwide through the Junior Chamber national chapters. The Junior Chamber Sri Lanka holds the franchise to conduct 'The Outstanding Young Persons' Program in the country, and has become one of the key public events of the organisation. The Junior Chamber Sri Lanka (Jaycees) is a non-governmental organisation affiliated to Junior Chamber International with its headquarters in Coral Gables, USA. The Junior Chamber Sri Lanka has been in existence since 1954 and is active with a membership of more than 1,000 all over the island.

The TOYP programme serves to recognise ten outstanding individuals whose personal and professional achievements in a chosen field are exemplary, outstanding and nationally beneficial. The TOYP awards programme highlights and confers national recognition to these achievements and contributions to serve as an example and an incentive to youth of our country to channel their energies in the right direction and create a positive change in society. Being an international award, the TOYP winners are recognised globally, all throughout the 114 network of countries that Junior Chambers exist.

The TOYP was originally conceived and developed by Durwood Howes, President of the United States Junior Chambers in 1930. This programme highlighted 12 outstanding young leaders each year. In 1933, this programme was officially adopted by the US Jaycees. Since 1952, many other national organisations have established their own 'Outstanding Young Persons Programme' in their respective countries. To be selected as a TOYP honouree is an arduous process. Entry coupons will be published in all three languages in the daily and weekend newspapers for a period of six weeks and people interested in applying could call in for the official Nomination Forms.

Nominations Forms could be submitted in any three languages in use in Sri Lanka. In all cases, he guidelines for selections are based on how each person's achievements have inspired others and his record of adherence to the principles embodies in the Jaycee Creed. Closing date for nominations is October 6.

The Nomination Forms received will be scrutinized by a panel of judges. The panel will consist of five prominent personalities in Sri Lanka. The judging will take place in the presence of Auditors appointed for this purpose. The winners of this year's programme will be recognised at a grand awards ceremony on October 24 at the BMICH.

In accepting this honour, it is hoped that the honourers will continue to grow in their ability to contribute to the country and the world, whilst serving as a source of inspiration to future generations of youth.

Past winners of this prestigious award include Prof. Lakshman R. Watawala, Romesh de Silva, Nalin Ladduwahetty, Rauf Hakeem, Ms. Malini Fonseka, Ms. Ajita Kadirgamar, Ranjan Madugalle, Arjuna Ranatunga, Minister Ravi Karunanayake, Prof. Dayantha Wijesekara, Ms. Rosy Senanayake, Sanath Jayasuriya and Ms. Susanthika Jayasinghe. The world-renowned artist Senaka Senanayake is the only Sri Lankan so far to win the TOYP internationally.

The media sponsors of this year include Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. The entry coupons will be published commencing next week in the daily and weekend newspapers in all three languages.

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