The Trinity-Hillwood Literary Marathon – Reviewed

The Lakshman Kadirgamar auditorium was energized by high spirits on the 22^nd May 2018 when the Junior Literary Association of Trinity College held its first major event. The event was organized in collaboration with Hillwood College’s Middle School Literary Association and consisted of a quiz, writing competition, and a debate.

It was held in the Main Hall and the Library premises, and was conducted under the supervision and guidance of the teacher-in-charge of the Junior TCLA, Mrs. Madasekera. The chief guest was Dr. Madhuranda Kalugampitiya, Senior Lecturer, Department of English, Faculty of Arts, University of Peradeniya. The Literary Marathon was attended by the Chaplain, Principal, Vice Principal, Co. Vice Principal, Head of Administration, Head Master of the Middle School, School Prefects and members of both the senior and junior TCLAs as well.

The Literary Marathon began in the Main Hall with the welcoming of the chief guest, Dr. Madhuranga Kalugampitiya and the Principal of Trinity College. Afterwards, an introduction to the programme was given by the Treasurer of the Junior TCLA, Kevin Tennekoon and a welcome speech by the President, Parinda Ratnayake. The Chief Guest and Principal then proceeded to the Creative Learning Centre along with the writers of both schools. The writing competition began after the topics were announced by Dr. Kalugampitiya. This was followed by the quiz, held in the auditorium.

The quiz was very exciting, with both teams neck to neck with correct answers. The excitement was backed up by the ecstatic quiz masters, Mr. Aslam Marikar and Mr. Bryan Senaratne who kept the audience attentive. The quiz comprising three rounds concluded with Hillwood, captained by Miss M. Kasturiarachchi, scoring 115 and Trinity, captained by Master A.M. Jameel, scoring 95 points.

Quiz Team, Hillwood College:

Maheshi Kasturiarachchi, Maleena Dissanayake, Umaya Bandara, Nisindi Jayaratne, Visini Wickramaratne.

Quiz Team, Trinity College:

Abidh Jameel, Thejaka Herath, Thevindu Yatawara, Ryan Weerasekera, Muhammed Zaffrullah.

The quiz was succeeded by the most eagerly awaited session, the debate. The topic ‘Digitalization Leads to Human Isolation’, which Hillwood proposed and Trinity opposed. With both teams firing points and counter-points, the Hillwood debaters displayed great talent and knowledge that impressed the audience, and the Trinitians proved nothing less on their first debate with another school. The debate was summed up by the two captains, Master R.M.P.M. Ratnayake and Miss Aliza Hussain, leaving the audience astonished.

Debate Team, Hillwood College:

Aliza Hussain, Nirmalene Morel, Aparna Seneviratne, Menure Mapa.

Debate Team, Trinity College:

Parinda Ratnayake, Sherwain Wavita, Kevin Tennakoon, Shevindra Herath, Lolonyo Rahula

The Judges’ remarks were not read out as the debate had been a friendly. The Chief Guest then addressed the audience on the marathon, mentioning the students in Sri Lanka who are not privileged enough to learn English and how we should have programmes to promote the world’s spoken language in rural schools. Afterwards, the Secretary of Junior TCLA Master Shevindra Herath proposed the vote of thanks on behalf of the association. This was followed by refreshments provided by the school.

Overall, the event was a great success and marks a new era of literary engagement in Trinity College as the President of the Junior TCLA, Parinda Ratnayake stated in his welcome speech, “…the newly formed Junior Literary Association works with the mission of restoring the past glory of the most prestigious association at Trinity, the Trinity College Literary Association.”

The Junior TCLA hopes to organize this as an annual event, promoting debating, writing and knowledge of young students in both schools.

Review by Junior Literary Association of Trinity College.