The Sinhala debate team of Trinity College achieved third place at ‘Buddhiye Adaharaya’. The competition on the 16th of February was organized by Nugawela Central College in commemorating their 75th anniversary. With twenty schools participating from all over the province, it was a good opportunity for the young team to display its talent.
The team was as follows:
- Kavindu Karunarathne (captain)
- Dinisuru Basnayake
- Damsith Aluthgedara
- Yohan Piyathilaka
- Dananjaya Herath
The first debate was against Swarnamali Girls’ College Kandy, in which Trinity scored full marks, along with the best debater award. The second debate against Sangamiththa Balika College Mathale saw similar results with full marks and the best debater going to Trinity. In respect to the first two victories Trinity emerged as the best amongst the top 8 with 14 points.
The second round started off with a tough opponent, Mahamaya College Kandy. However, Trinity braved on to defeat the girls with a 2 mark advantage and the best debater, thus promoting them to the top 4.
In the semi-finals Trinity met St. Sylvester’s in a challenging encounter. This time though, they were unable to keep up the pace, losing to their Kandyan rival with a deficit of 2 points and placing third overall.
The Sinhala debaters have achieved a lot recently in both zonal and provincial level. Amongst their accomplishments, they became 5th in ‘Sasrutha’ organized by St. Anthony’s Girls’ College, and were semi-finalists in ‘Tharkana Prathiba’ organized by Sri Rahula College Katugastota.
These victories clearly show the improvement of Sinhala debating at Trinity and the enthusiasm to move forward. The Master in charge, Mr Subash Dhanasekera has been the driving force in all the activities, practices, and competitions of the debaters. The College hopes that Sinhala debating will continue improve in the years to come.
– Review by Parinda Ratnayake
