Winners of oratorical competition for schoolchildren

by Nadira Gunatilleke

K.M. Malaka Kumarasinghe of Anuradhapura Walisinghe Harischandra Maha Vidyalaya won the first place in the senior category of the oratorical competition for schoolchildren in the North Central Province organised by the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (ANCL) parallel to the 43rd Mihintale Aloka Pooja to be held in Mihintale on June 20 to 22 under the guidance of Ven. Namalwewa Dhammakeerthi Shri Ratanasara Thera to mark Poson Festival.

The oratorical competition was held on June 11 in Senior and Junior categories. ANCL's Buddhist Association will award the Wijewardena Commemoration Trophy and a Rs. 10,000 cash prize to the winner of the senior category. The winner of the junior category is K.M. Kusala Poornima of Anuradhapura Swarnapali Balika Vidyalaya. She will receive an award from Budusarana and a cash prize of Rs. 10,000. The competition took place at Anuradhapura Youth Centre on June 11.

Sachindda Dilan Wijetunga of Anuradhapura Madya Maha Vidyalaya and Ganindu Devinda Jayaratne of Anuradhapura Madya Maha Vidyalaya won the second and third place in the senior category. They will receive Rs. 7,500 and Rs. 5,000 each.

Fourth to tenth winners will receive a certificate and a valuable parcel containing books from Dayawansa Jayakody and Company Limited. The National Savings Bank (NSB) will sponsor this competition. They are Shalika Jeevanthi Bandara of Medavachchiya National School, A. Ayantha Anandi of Anuradhapura Swarnapali Balika Maha Vidyalaya, J.A. Jaliya Viraj Jayakody of Anuradhapura Mahinda Maha Vidyalaya, M.G. Lakshika Madhishani of Anuradhapura Madya Maha Vidyalaya, Iresha Madhuwanthi Jayatunga of Labunoruwa Vidyalaya, K.G. Anuradha Kanchani of Anuradhapura Madya Maha Vidyalaya and G.B. Chandani de Silva of Thalawa Maha Vidyalaya.

In the junior category, Janaki Dilinika of Anuradhapura Dharmalankara Dhamma School won the second place and a cash prize of Rs. 7,500. Chathuranga Herath of Anuradhapura Madya Maha Vidyalaya won the third place and a cash prize of Rs. 5,000.

M. Sanjaya Nuwan of Anuradhapura St. Joseph's Maha Vidyalaya, J.H. Dulanjani Madhubhashani of Anuradhapura Swarnapali Balika Vidyalaya, Duminda Jayawardana of Anuradhapura St. Joseph's Maha Vidyalaya, W.N. Madhavi Uthpala of Anuradhapura Swarnapali Maha Vidyalaya, Gayathri Apeksha Perera of Anuradhapura Madya Maha Vidyalaya, J.A. Sakuna Maduge of Anuradhapura Madya Maha Vidyalaya and Suji Wijendra of Mihintale Maha Vidyalaya won certificates and books.

ANCL has also organised a Sill campaign on June 21 with the participation of 250 Dhamma Schoolchildren residing around Mihintale. A donation of clothing worn to observe Sill for 250 Dhamma Schoolchildren took place on June 12. The Public Trustee will sponsor the donation.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse will open the illuminations on June 20 at 7.00 pm. Gilanpasa, Buddha Pooja will take place at 8.00 pm the same day. Several other special programs will also take place to mark the 40th anniversary of the Budusarana newspaper.

Power and Energy Minister Susil Premajayanth will open the illuminations on June 21 at 7.00 pm. ANCL Chairman Janadasa Peiris, CEB Chairman Ananda Gunasekara and Anuradhapura District Secretary U.D. Mapa will be the chief guests on June 22 opening. The award presentation of the oratorical competition will take place on this day.

The Ceylon Electricity Board and Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation will join ANCL as sponsors.