A kaleidoscope of talent

A mix of many themes, a kaleidoscope, a cocktail of thoughts, of ideas, of topics and a welcome sprinkling of spice and humour was the atmosphere at the final round of the Champion Young Speaker Contest at Hatton National Bank (HNB) Towers, Colombo. The contest was presented by the Colombo Toastmasters Club and sponsored by Lyceum International School.

The highlight of the evening was the much awaited announcement of the winners and the presentations. The Lyceum Challenge Trophy and Rs 100,000 to the winner, Wasula Kumbukage. Rs 50,000 to the first runner up, Kavindya Tennakoon and Rs 25,000 to the second runner up, Kaveen Ratnaweera. All participants including the two reserves, Venuri Witharana and Shihab Rizan received book vouchers valued at Rs 2,500.

The five young winners held the audience spell bound with their innovative and challenging creations expressed in eloquent speech. Their dynamic speaking style infectious enthusiasm, lively manner and unique content went on to add quality and spice to their performance.

The super star of the evening, the Champion of the Young Speaker Contest 2012, Wasula Kumbukage, dwelt on a topic that had tremendous audience interest – success. He touched on the lives of great personalities such as Albert Einstein, Mahatma Gandhi, Arnold Schwarzenegger. He convinced the audience, that success is a goal that could be achieved by anyone provided one had the iron will to go ahead and not turn back.

Using the words of Michael Jackson in his touching song Heal the World, Wasula went on to quote Mahatma Gandhi and said, “To be the change, be the change.” He concluded with the words, “Remember, more we, less me.”

(left to right): Kavindya Tennakoon, Kaveen Ratnaweera, Wasula Kumbukage, Principal Venuri Hettiarachchi, Shihab Rizan, Shavintha Fernando and Venuri Witharana. (Standing behind): Effective speech teachers Tilan Perera and Nihal Jayasinghe.

The High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka Ashok K Kantha donated a set of books to Zahira College recently. Here High Commissioner handing over the books to Principal of the College Mohamed Jiffry. Chairman of the Board of Governors and Old Boys Association (OBA) President Fowzul Hameed and Head of Primary F H Wahab were also present. Picture by Ruzaik Farook

First runner up Kavindya Tennakoon challenged the audience to make a change and be different in their own unique way. In her impromptu speech she spoke of her dreams of making the world happy. “I always think that a simple smile could actually make a big difference,” she said.

Young Kaveen Ratnaweera the second runner up, rocked the audience with laughter with his witty humour when he skillfully brought to light how every often the woman entraps the man and winds the poor creature round her little finger. He concluded with an earnest yet strong appeal to all women to walk not ahead nor behind man, but hand in hand with man to achieve the really great things in life. Ratnaweera in his impromptu opened with a song about fun and went on to give his message to the audience, “Let us be more of what we really are and not someone else.”

Shavintha Fernando, spoke about shadows being nothing but the reflection of one's life and actions and not symbols of evil. In his impromptu he enlightened the audience that it was the small things in life that really mattered, that would make the world a better place to live in.

Dulana Premaratne, wished for a greener world free of pollution and spoke of how Mother Nature was finally hitting back unable to bear man's unconcern for his own environment.

The chief guest at the event, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sampath Bank, Aravinda Perera in a light veined but humourous speech filled with personal anecdotes spoke about what it takes one to reach the pinnacle of success.

The pretty young Principal of Lyceum International School, Nugegoda Venuri Hettiarachchi in her short but eloquent speech touched on the ingredients that go to make one a star speaker. She thanked Mohan Lal Grero and Kumari Grero for sponsoring the event year in year out and providing the much needed platform for the young speakers of Sri Lanka to showcase their speaking talents.

She also thanked the Colombo Toastmasters and this year's President CTM Hussein Moosajee, the contest chair and all other members, including Chamari Gamage and her team for making this year's contest a roaring success.

With such vibrant personalities as Kumari Grero and young Venuri Hettiarachchi, the driving force at the helm of Lyceum and a very dedicated team of speech teachers, headed by Nihal Jayasinghe and assisted by Tilan Perera, Roshinara Serasinghe, Rochelle Hendavitharana, Manuri Tennakoon and Fioni Hewanadugala it is no wonder as to why Lyceum keeps on producing Sri Lanka's star champion speakers.

This year's final saw an all time record where all five finalists plus the two reserves were from Lyceum International School, Nugegoda – an unprecedented record never seen since the inception on this contest in 2004. The contest this year drew a record number of 550 entries from all parts of the island – the highest since the competition began. A very encouraging aspect of this year's contest is that participants from the Government Schools took part. From a 149 entries in 2007 to 550 in 2012 goes to show the rapidly growing interest of the young in public speaking.