Malay language contest

COLOMBO:The Conference of Sri Lankan Malays (COSLAM) will mark Malay Language Day as an annual event. The competitions will be held on July 15 and 16.

COSLAM will conduct competitions in essay writing and oratory where persons of different age groups could compete. Depending on the standard of Bahasa Melayu displayed this year, it is intended to conduct competitions for poetry as well, from next year.

Competitors will be allowed to write essays and deliver speeches in Sri Lankan Malay as well. Participants can use the Roman script or Sinhalese characters.

Winners will be awarded prizes on Hari Bahasa Melayu and winners of the Oratorical Competition will deliver their prize-winning speeches on that day.

A debate on "It is Bahasa Melayu Antarabangsa more than Sri Lankan Malay which will ensure the development of the Malays of Sri Lanka" will be held between two teams drawn from representatives of different Malay Organisations.

All those interested can obtain application forms together with rules of the competitions by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to the General Secretary, COSLAM, No. 35 Kalubowila Road, Dehiwela, Entries close on July 5.