Awards today

Lumbini EDIRISINGHE

The annual HSBC JCI (Junior Chamber International), TOYP (The Outstanding Young Persons of Sri Lanka) award ceremony, the largest JC event in Sri Lanka will be held on September 12 at Cinnamon Grand Colombo.

Inaugurated in Sri Lanka in 1980, The Outstanding Young Persons awards programme serves to recognise outstanding individuals whose personal and professional achievements in a chosen field are exemplary and nationally beneficial.

JCISL has been conducting the Award Programme since 1980 and started a Strategic Partnership with HSBC since 2005 being the principal sponsor.

After that the event was re-branded as "HSBC JCI TOYP". HSBC and JCISL signed a MOU to continue the Strategic Partnership till 2010.

The original TOYP programme was conceived and developed by the United States Junior Chamber in 1931 and was later adopted internationally by the JCI movement.

World award winners include Orson Welles, Henry Kissinger, John F Kennedy and Senaka Senanayake (who is the only Sri Lankan to date to win an international TOYP award).

Sponsored by HSBC for the second consecutive year, the HSBC JCI TOYP awards programme attempts to confer recognition of nationally beneficial achievements and contributions as examples for the country's youth. It is hoped that this will encourage Sri Lankan youth to channel their energies towards the betterment of their communities. This is also in line with HSBC's objective of empowering and supporting Sri Lanka's youth.

Ten personalities representing various have been selected to receive these awards. Following are winners.

Chrishmal Warnasuriya, Dr. Jayanie Bimalka Weeratna, Nadeeka Chandrasekara, Sanath Nandana, Ashan Malalasekera, Rohitha Matharaarachchi, Dr. Kalum Priyanath Udagepola, Dr. Neil Fernandopulle, Dr. Vajira H. W. Dissanayake and Kumar Sangakkara. British high commissioner Dr. Peter Hayes will be the chief guest at the event.

MTV/MBC is the official Electronic Media Sponsor for the fourth consecutive year and ANCL is the official Print Media Sponsor.