(Hon. Lakshman Kadirgamar Memorial Debating Championship 2023)
Reveiwed by Chaniru Senhas and Nimuthu Pathiraja
For the fourth consecutive year, the Hon. Lakshman Kadirgamar Memorial Debating Championship was organised by the English Debating Society. Held from the 15th-17th of December, as per Trinity tradition, the tournament consisted of a bonfire on the night of the 16th at the Junior School Ground, whilst the rounds took place in the AJ Block, Gaster Block, Fraser Block and the Main Hall.
The tournament, which was graced by nearly 200 debaters from around the Island, commenced on the 15th afternoon, when 2 of the 5 preliminary rounds were held, followed by 3 other preliminary rounds on the 16th, prior to the much awaited bonfire, at which the Trinity College Senior Scout Troop played a major role. The event came to an end on the 17th with the exhilarating Final round which took place between Wesley College and Royal College, where Wesley emerged victorious.
The closing ceremony of the event included a message from the platinum sponsor of the tournament followed by the distribution of certificates by the Co-Vice Principal, Mr. Ananda Marasinghe and the Head of Co-Curricular Activities, Mr. Wasana Dissanayake.
The TCK debating community appreciates the commitment of the organizing committee (Ammar Zaffarullah, Thesath Keppetiyagama, Sanchitha Wickrama, Shaluka Herath, Muhammed Jameel, Kavindu Athukorala, Nethula Hewahettige, Chaniru Senhas, Nimuthu Pathiraja, Abeesha Wickramasinghe and Thithira Jayakody), Bilal Abdurahman from the Trinity College Scout Troop, Linuka Mallikarachchi, Jason Navaratne and Yeshan Ranatunage from the Trinity College Media Unit, the college debating coach, Suchith Tissera, and last but not least, Mrs. Fathima Majeed and Mrs. Pramila Vijeykumar, the Teachers-In-Charge of Debating for their unprecedented support throughout the journey.
