Writeup by Nimuthu Pathiraja and Chaniru Senhas (Web Content Team)  The Prize Giving is one of the most prestigious events of any institution, especially at Trinity College Kandy. It is a tradition, a felicitation, a celebration of all those who have progressed with significant achievements throughout the year. Therefore, according to the customary date system, the evening of the 14th of February, the second Friday of February, was special not only to those who were recognized but to the school as well – the Prize Giving is a symbol of the legacy of the college.  This year’s edition of the Prize Giving had the pride of welcoming The Hon. Justice Janak De Silva and Mrs. Neeliya De Silva as the chief guests of the event. Mr. De Silva has been an alumnus of the college from 1973 to 1987. During his school life, he excelled in hockey, and was an ardent player of the College Hockey team.  He was awarded Hockey Colours in 1985. Mr. De Silva also contributed to the school as a member of the Junior Chess team, Trinity Athletics, and Cricket. He was also the editor of the 1984 college magazine and represented the school at Drama and Quiz competitions. These achievements resulted in him being awarded the first Valesca Reimann Scholarship in 1981. He also received multiple prizes on the very same stage where the Prize Giving was held. Additionally, he was a prefect.   Appointed to the Court of Appeal in 2017, he became a Supreme Court judge in 2020- one of the youngest in recent times. He chaired the Presidential Commission on the Easter attacks and became an Honorary Bencher of Gray’s Inn in 2021. In 2023, he was named a Senior Fellow at Melbourne University and a Non-Resident Justice of the Seychelles Court of Appeal.  As per usual practice, upon the arrival and welcoming of the Chief Guest and dignitaries by the National Drum and Dance Troupe, the Principal, Rev. Fr. Araliya Jayasundara OSB welcomed everyone in the audience to this grand event. Next, the College hymn was sung in pride, before the Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Shelton Samadanam led the opening prayer. The Principal then presented his detailed report of the College’s activities in the past year. It included all academic, sports and Co-Curricular achievements and activities of Trinity College, each of which wouldn’t have been possible without the committment of numerous young Trinitians.  The speech delivered by the Chief Guest, which came next, included a quote which was etched into the minds of all sitting in the audience, as they listened in intrigue:  “You can be a Trinitian by name, or you can be a Trinitian by make”  All the prizes were then handed over to the eager youngsters waiting for their moment of recognition. The priceless smiles on the brightly lit faces of those who climbed the stage,  highlighted the success of the prize giving. The senior prefect, Mast. Rushen Bandaranayake delivered the vote of thanks, recognizing each and every individual who worked behind the scenes not only for the prize giving, but for Trinity College. Finally, the event came to a conclusion with the singing of the College Song and National Anthem.  Yet another well-organized and successful event in the college calendar had concluded. The efforts of many, including the Board of Governors, College Executive Council, College Management Team, Secretary of the Prize giving Mr. Ruwan Jayarathne, Upper School Prize Giving Assistant Secretary Mrs. Thilanka Niyangoda, Middle School Prize Giving Assistant Secretary Mrs. Eshani Jayawardane and the PROMWEB, teachers, non-academic and support staff, the School Officers’ Guild, students, and countless individuals, had yielded fruit. May the College continue to explore vistas of excellence for years to come. 

Bishop of Kurunegala, Members of the Board of Governors, Principal, Vice Principals, Academic Heads, Tutorial Staff, Distinguished Invitees, Parents and Dear Students, Today, we gather to celebrate academic excellence, marking a significant moment for all the award recipients. You are being honored for your outstanding achievements, which have been the result of a perfect blend of intellect, dedication, and hard work. My wife and I extend our heartfelt congratulations on your success. We applaud each of you for your commitment, and I am confident that this same dedication will continue to guide you as you embark on the next chapters of your lives. Your proud parents are here to share in the joy of seeing the results of their years of love, investment, sacrifice, and support. We also commend them for their unwavering commitment, which has been instrumental in providing a solid foundation of guidance and encouragement for their children’s success. It is an honor to be here to celebrate your success and joy. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Father Araliya Jayasundera and the Members of the Board of Governors for inviting me to serve as the Chief Guest. Being recognized by your alma mater is one of life’s greatest rewards, often making other accomplishments seem less significant. The prize-giving ceremony brings back cherished memories for me. As a student, I was deeply involved in organizing the prizes for distribution for two years, under the excellent leadership of Mr. Paul Jeyaraj and late Mr. S. Ariasingham, who were my revered mentors at Trinity. We would spend days in the two rooms behind the stage, carefully arranging the prizes. Both Mr. Jeyaraj and late Mr. Ariasingham were embodiments of discipline, which is why it’s no surprise that they continued to serve Trinity for many years, as discipline is one of the core foundations of this esteemed institution. However, this wasn’t always the case. After Mr. Napier-Clavering retired as Principal in 1900, Trinity was on the brink of disaster. In May 1903, Rev. MacLulich, who was then Vice-Principal, sent a cry de profundis to Mr. Napier-Clavering, asking him to return to Trinity. The letter described several troubling issues among the students, including refusal to attend detention, frequent visits to public houses in town on Saturdays, boarders skipping classes for weeks, and students attending drunken parties around Kandy Lake. This marked the advent of Rev. A.G. Fraser to Trinity. One of his lasting legacies was the restoration of discipline. Coincidently, the first public speech I gave on this very stage more than four decades ago was titled “Discipline is essential for the development of a Nation”. Frankly, I cannot recall the reason for selecting the topic. But there are several reasons why I feel it’s important to share a crucial message about Discipline with you, the future leaders of our cherished nation. You may be familiar with the well-known quote attributed to Aristotle: “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” Excellence is not something that happens overnight, nor is it a gift you’re born with. It is developed through a series of disciplined actions—whether it’s waking up early to study, mastering self-control, attending class with commitment, persevering through failure, or treating others with dignity and kindness. When these habits are nurtured over time, they lay the groundwork for remarkable accomplishments. Discipline is not just a personal quality; it is a collective objective that a nation must work towards. When we look at the history of prosperous nations, we can often trace their success to the discipline embedded in their people and leaders. Discipline is the force that unites the individual efforts of citizens, transforming them into collective accomplishments that benefit the whole country. Without discipline, potential remains unrealized, and progress slows to a halt. Trinity has always been a multicultural, multi-ethnic, and multi-religious institution. We were raised to focus on the dignity of others, treating everyone with respect and kindness. Sri Lanka is made up of a diverse population, each with their own backgrounds, beliefs, and perspectives. Unfortunately, the country has yet to unite as one nation. What should bind us together is the recognition that we must work in harmony, guided by shared values and mutual respect. Discipline, in this sense, involves respecting our laws, fulfilling our responsibilities, and prioritizing the common good over personal desires. It is the discipline to honor commitments, make decisions that benefit all, and ensure the nation’s well-being which should be central to our actions. This is what will ultimately shape the future of our country. Discipline is one of the important qualities this hallowed institution has instilled in my life. It has greatly assisted me in my chosen path. I call upon all young Trinitians to start cultivating discipline in all its manifestations from a very young age. It will be the bedrock on which you can build a successful and fulfilling future. You will never fail in life if you make discipline your eternal companion. Trinity instilled in me another vital quality: Determination, which has enabled me to overcome adversity and stay true to my principles during difficult times. As we all know, Trinity’s motto is Respice Finem, meaning “look to the end.” It serves as a reminder to consider the ultimate consequences of our actions, decisions, and life paths. However, I believe it means more than just that. It also signifies that once we make an informed and correct choice, we must have the determination to follow through and see it to completion. You must have the determination to do what is right. You must be determined to standing up for justice. You must be determined in staying true to your conscience, no matter the consequences.  For in the end, it is your conscience with which you must find peace as you reflect on your journey through life. In March, 2023, I, along with two of my brother judges of the Supreme Court were called upon to decide an issue which