Review by Sanchitha Wickrama (English Debating Team)
Trinity College Kandy (TCK) Debating Team secured a historic victory at the Debaters’ Council League Playoffs, defeating Royal College Colombo in the final on a unanimous decision. The win marks Trinity’s first-ever League Playoff title and signals a major resurgence for the college’s debating circuit after two years without a tournament victory.
The Debaters’ Council League Playoffs is a two-day, round-robin competition featuring the top four schools on the national league points table. TCK qualified for the playoffs after finishing the season with 47 league points, the third-highest tally among all participating schools. Over the course of the playoffs, Trinity won two out of three preliminary rounds, earning a place in the final against Royal College Colombo.
The victorious Trinity team consisted of Sanchitha Wickrama, Shaluka Herath, Nimuthu Pathiraja, Abeesha Wickramasinghe, and Nethula Hettihewage. Their final-round performance earned a unanimous verdict from the adjudication panel, sealing a landmark triumph and bringing home one of the most prestigious shields in Sri Lankan schools debating.
Across the 2025 debating season, TCK participated in 12 tournaments, emerging as semi-finalists on six occasions and reaching the finals twice. Both final losses came by way of split decisions, underlining the team’s consistent competitiveness at the highest level. The League Playoff victory ultimately capped off a season defined by resilience and steady improvement.
Trinity debaters also excelled at an individual level. Master Sanchitha Wickrama and Master Nimuthu Pathiraja were selected to the Sri Lanka National Debating Pool and collectively secured three Best Speaker awards during the season.
Behind this memorable campaign stood a strong support system. The team extends its gratitude to teacher-in-charge Mrs. Fathima Majeed for her guidance throughout the year. Special thanks are also due to former coach Mr. Suchith Tissera and current coach Mr. Senuka Seneviratne for their continued mentorship. The debaters further acknowledge the contributions of past coaches Mr. Lithmal Jayawardhana and Ms. Shanya Sadanandan, as well as former teacher-in-charge Mrs. Prameela Wijeykumar, whose legacy continues to shape Trinity Debating.
To call the 2025 season a success would be an understatement. The season, which began with narrow final-round defeats, ultimately culminated in a historic League Playoff triumph, marking a significant milestone for Trinity College Debating.
