Essay contest:

Entries called for contest on prevention of drugs, HIV/AIDS

Sarath MALALASEKERA

Entries are called for the annual all island essay contest on prevention of drugs and HIV/AIDS organised by Lions Club International.

This contest is one of the major programmes conducted continuously for the 20th consecutive year supported by Lions Club Dehiwela North president Lion Thulith Piyasena under the guidance of District Governor Lion Padmasiri Ranawakaarachchi, District chairman Lion S Ramachandran said.

The contest if open to schoolchildren aged between 15 and 19.

The topics are Drug Abuse - Its impact on the individual and the country and The Global Challenge of HIV/AIDS and the Sri Lankan society.

Entries could be sent on one topic or both topics. Entries on each topic should be sent separately, Ramachandran said.

Entries could be sent in Sinhala, Tamil and English and the closing date is March 31, 2012.

The first three place winners in each language category and under each topic will receive Rs 7,500, Rs 5,000 and Rs 2,500 in addition to trophies and certificates.

The conditions are essays should not exceed six A4 size sheets and not less than four sheets. They could be either hand written or typed only on one side of the sheet. Certification by the Principal or the head of the institution is a must for the date of birth of the student and that the entry is the original work of the student.

Name and address of the participating student, including his or her residential address, should be written or typed in bold English letters to facilitate the correct preparation of trophies and certificates of winners.

Ramachandran said that the decision of the judges is final and no correspondence will be entertained. Scripts will not be returned.

Entries should be sent to District Chairperson, Prevention of Drugs and HIV/AIDS, 12/3, Frances Road, Wellawatta, Colombo 6.