Creating awareness of Siam Nikaya

Irangika RANGE

The Royal Thai Embassy in Colombo and the Sri Lanka – Thailand Society organized an essay competition titled ‘Contribution of Venerable Upali Maha Thero of Ayutthaya in the Revival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka’ to create awareness among Sri Lankan people about the 260th anniversary of the establishment of Siam Nikaya in Sri Lanka to be celebrated next year. The presentation ceremony was presided by Ambassador of Thailand to Sri Lanka Poldej Worachat.

The essay competition gained a great deal of interest from the people of Sri Lanka by receiving 50 submissions in total.

Under the age group between 10 and18 years Withanage Hashini Kawshika Perera from Sujatha Vidyalaya, Nugegoda received the first prize including Rs. 20000 cash reward and certificate while Saumiya Sivakumaran from V/Vavuniya Tamil Madya Maha Vidyalayam, Vavuniya received the second prize including Rs.10000 cash reward and the certificate. D Malika M Perera from Samadhi Dhamma School, Wattarantenna, Kandy received third prize including Rs.5000 cash reward and the certificate.

Under the age group 19 year and above, H K G Seneviratne from Pannipitiya received the first prize including Rs.30000 cash award and the certificate while Nalini Priyanvada Galmangoda from Kadawatha and W D C Wijebandara, Nugegoda received the second prize including Rs.15000 cash reward and the certificate and third prize including Rs.7500 and the certificate respectively.

The award winners also received souvenirs from Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thai Airways. The awarded essays will be published in the journal of Sri Lanka – Thailand Society.

Award ceremony took place in a warm atmosphere with around 40 guests attending the event, including President of Sri Lanka – Thailand Society Nirmalie Gunatilleke.