By Nithish Pradeepan (Gavel Club of TCK)
Students from Trinity College, Kandy recently achieved significant success at HELIOS ‘26, an All-Island inter-school public speaking competition. The event, organised by the Gavel Club of Hillwood College, Kandy, was held for the second consecutive year at the Hillwood College auditorium, providing a prestigious stage for young orators from across Sri Lanka.
The competition was structured into three rigorous rounds, attracting nearly 130 participants nationwide. After the preliminary stages, the field was narrowed to a Grand Finale featuring only ten finalists—five selected for the junior category and five for the senior category.
In the junior category, which featured over 100 contestants aged 11–14, the College was represented by Master Nithish Pradeepan and Master Wishwadinuth Pradeepan. Throughout the competition, both speakers impressed the panel of judges with their powerful and thoughtful delivery. Their speeches demonstrated a high level of emotional intelligence and a mature awareness of pressing national issues. Following a very tight final round where all competitors showcased spectacular skills, Master Nithish Pradeepan emerged as the First Runner-up, while Master Wishwadinuth Pradeepan was awarded Second Runner-up (Third Place).
In the senior category, Master Dilrukshan Sureshkumar represented Trinity College amongst speakers aged 16–19 from over 50 schools. His performance was characterized by a well-structured presentation and the effective use of compelling real-life examples to engage the audience. His consistency and oratorical flair earned him the position of Second Runner-up in the senior category.
HELIOS ‘26 proved to be an excellent platform for these Trinitians to showcase their public speaking talents. By competing with distinction and humility, they have brought further recognition to the College’s long-standing tradition of excellence in English oratory.
