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Trinity Debating: Unbeaten at Dr. Vijitha Weerasinghe Memorial Championship 2026

Trinity College emerged unbeaten champions at the Dr. Vijitha Weerasinghe Memorial Championship 2026, held at Royal College from 5 to 7 June. Competing against a record field of 70 teams in the largest debating tournament ever held in Sri Lanka, Trinity A completed a flawless campaign, winning every preliminary and knockout round to secure the title.

The championship introduced Sri Lanka’s first partial double octo-final break, making it one of the most competitive tournaments on the national debating calendar. Trinity College fielded four teams at the event, reflecting the strength and depth of debating at the College. Trinity A comprised Abeesha Wickramasinghe, Nimuthu Pathiraja and Nethula Hettihewage.

From the opening round, Trinity A found its rhythm, recording a perfect 5-0 record in the preliminary rounds. Victories over St. Bridget’s Convent A, St. Bridget’s Convent B, Anula Vidyalaya B, S. Thomas’ College A and Ananda College B saw the team finish as the top-ranked side heading into the knockout stages.

The Trinitians faced their first knockout challenge against Elizabeth Moir School in the Octo-finals. In one of the closest debates of their campaign, Trinity A edged through on a narrow 1-0 split decision. The Quarter-finals against Ananda College B saw a more assured performance, with the team securing a clear 1-0 victory.

Another stern test awaited in the Semi-finals against Hillwood College A. Trinity A once again demonstrated composure under pressure, prevailing on a 2-1 split and earning a place in the Grand Final.

Facing Visakha Vidyalaya in the championship debate, Trinity A delivered its strongest performance of the tournament. Speaking with confidence and clarity, the team secured a unanimous 5-0 decision from the adjudication panel, completing an extraordinary unbeaten run. Having won every preliminary and knockout debate, Trinity A completed a rare grand slam to be crowned champions of the Dr. Vijitha Weerasinghe Memorial Championship 2026.

Trinity B also enjoyed a strong tournament. Finishing eighth after the preliminary rounds, the team earned a direct berth to the Octo-finals, bypassing the newly introduced partial double octo-finals. Their campaign came to an end in a closely contested debate against Ananda College B, falling short by just 0.5 speaker points. Nevertheless, their top-eight finish highlighted the quality of Trinity’s representation at the championship.

Trinity’s success was reflected in the individual rankings as well. Nimuthu Pathiraja finished as the tournament’s second-best speaker, missing first place by only 0.1 speaker points. Three other Trinitians also secured places among the tournament’s top 30 speakers.

The championship marks Trinity College’s first open debating tournament title since RI ISDC 2023 and adds another notable achievement to the College’s debating tradition. In a tournament that set new records for participation and competition, Trinity’s debaters ensured that their campaign would be remembered among its defining performances.

This achievement would not have been possible without the guidance and support of coach Mr Senuka Seneviratne, whose mentorship played an invaluable role throughout the tournament. The team is also grateful to the Master-in-Charge, Mr Achintha Jayasooriya, who accompanied the contingent, and to the Teacher-in-Charge of Debating, Mrs Fathima Majeed, for their continued encouragement and commitment to debating at Trinity.