Article by Ammar Zaffarullah
In a historic moment for Trinity College, debaters Thithira Jayakody and Ammar Zaffarullah proudly represented Sri Lanka at the prestigious World Schools Debating Championship 2023. The championship, spanning from July 18th to 28th, marked a remarkable journey for these talented students.
The trailblazing expedition of Thithira and Ammar began with their participation in the national pool of 2023. Following a rigorous and highly competitive selection process, they emerged victorious , securing their spots in the national team. After undergoing 8 months of intensive training, these two exceptional individuals embarked on their journey to the championship hosted in Vietnam.
In a series of electrifying rounds, Team Sri Lanka showcased their prowess, triumphing over formidable opponents such as Vietnam, Morocco, Thailand, Malaysia, Pakistan, and New Zealand during the preliminary stage. Their outstanding performance earned them a place in the knockout rounds, and they continued their stride by prevailing over Taiwan in the Octo-Finals.
Although their journey concluded against a resilient Team Canada, Thithira and Ammar’s efforts were rewarded with a commendable 6th place finish among the 58 participating nations. Thithira Jayakody’s exceptional eloquence and debating finesse secured him the distinguished title of the 8th best speaker among the entire participant pool – an achievement that ranks as the second-highest placement for a Sri Lankan in the history of championship.
Behind this trail of accomplishments stood the unwavering support of Trinity’s dedicated debating faculty, led by Mrs. Fathima Majeed and Mrs. Premeela Vijayakumar. The guidance of Trinity’s esteemed debating coaches, Mr. Lithmal Jayawardhana and Ms. Shanya Sadanandan, played a pivotal role in nurturing the skills of these exceptional debaters. The steadfast support of Trinity College’s administration was instrumental in nurturing an environment conducive to the success of the debating club and its remarkable achievements.
While this year’s journey for the dynamic duo has drawn to a close, the future gleams with promise. Trinity’s debating enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the forthcoming national pool of 2024, brimming with optimism and determination. The legacy of excellence fostered by Thithira Jayakody and Ammar Zaffarullah continues to inspire generations of debaters at Trinity College.
