Children win awards in essay contest

Sarath MALALASEKERA

The awards ceremony of the all island essay contest on Drug Abuse and HIV/AIDS conducted for the 18th consecutive year by the Lions Clubs International - District 306 A2 with the assistance of the Lions Club Dehiwela North was held recently at the Global Tower Hotel, Colombo 6.

District Governor Lion Nimal Aluthge MJF, Lion Prof. Swarna Premaratne from the Lions Club of Pestum Italy and National Dangerous Drugs Control Board Chairman President's Counsel D.P. Mendis was the Chief Guest and Guests of Honour.

Dr. Sathya Herath, Lions Vice District Governor Chandra Katuwawela, Colombo Plan Secretariat Drug Advisory Program Director Ngayem Cuu Duc, Lions Club Dehiwela North President Lalith Lokuge, Dr. Sarath Samarasinghe, Cabinet Secretary Duminda Munasinghe, J.A. Jayasena, S. Dammulla of FONGODA and Mangala Gautham participated.

The results: Topic: Youth's role in Prevention of drug abuse

Sinhala Medium:

1st place: Yeshin Mahesha Athukorala, Kalutara Balika National School

2nd place: T. Deshani Anupama, Kalutara Pothupitiya Maha Vidyalaya, Wadduwa

3rd place: B.A. Sithara Erandi Abewardena, Nagoda Maha Vidyalaya, Bombuwala

Tamil Medium:

1st place: Mahalingam Thushayini, M.M.T.M. School, Thirukovil

2nd place: M.M. Ashfaaq Ahamed, Govt. Muslim Boys' School, Akkaraipattu

3rd place: A. Fathima Raksana, Muslim Madya Maha Vidyalaya, Sammanthurai

English Medium:

1st place: Fathima Shafna Siddique, Azhar Central College, Akurana

2nd place: Khadija Zoeb, Burhani Serendib School, Colombo 4

3rd place: Thaha Adamjee, Zahira College, Colombo 10

Topic: Life of discipline-Life of happiness (on HIV/AIDS)

Sinhala Medium:

1st place: U.L. Arjuna Prabath Perera, Sri Sumangala Boys' School, Panadura

2nd place: Vismila Oshadee Senivirathna, Bandaranayake Maha Vidyalaya, Payagala

3rd place: H.K. Dulari Piyumanthi Hemachandra, Gnanodaya Maha Vidyalaya, Kalutara

Tamil Medium:

1st place: V. Sivarubini, Vivekananda College, Colombo 13

2nd place: Mahadevan Santhira Banu, Karuvakerny Vigneswara Vidyalayam, Valaichenai

3rd place: Mahalingam Mohanaprashanth, M.M.T.M. School, Thirukovil

English Medium:

1st place: Andrew Sulakshi Mariyan Cooray, Holy Family Convent, Kalutara

2nd place: Fathima Aathifa Lafeerkhan, Newstead Girls' College, Negombo

3rd place: Fathima Zafra Fuaiz, Royal Institute, Maharagama