Wings Through the Lens ’25; Inter-House Bird Photography & Videography Competition 

Reviewed by T.Humrushan and Sawin Danthasinghe  

The Inter-House Bird Photography and Videography Competition, “Wings Through the Lens 2025” was held for the second consecutive year under the guidance of the Ornithology Club of Trinity College Kandy. This unique competition encouraged students to observe and capture birdlife through creative photography and videography.  

The Senior Houses visited Bellwood, while the Junior Houses participated in school grounds on the 3rd and the 4^th of May 2025. 

Students submitted entries under four categories:  

• Birds in Flight 
• Best Portrait 
• Birds in Habitat  
• Videography 

 The award winners were felicitated on Friday, 6th June 2025, during the school’s morning assembly. All winning participants were awarded certificates, while 1st place winners received a gold medal. The two Champion Houses, based on overall points, were honoured with trophies by the Principal, Rev. Fr. Araliya Jayasundara.  

Participants in the  Junior Houses, despite the competition being held within the school premises, impressed the judges with their creative angles and keen observational skills. The results are as follows: 

Birds in Flight 

1^st Place – B.A. Nejan (Gibson House) 
2^nd Place – J. Yathuwarsan (Squealery House)  
3^rd Place – Helika Ranaweera (Sahayam House) 

Best Portrait 

1^st Place – D.D. Hewagama (Saunders House)  
2^nd Place – E.A.D.S.K. Jayasinghe (Squealery House) ~
3^rd Place – Peshala Bandara (Sahayam House) 
3^rd Place – M.A.D.D. Fernando (Gibson House)  

Birds in Habitat  

1^st Place – D.D. Hewagama (Saunders House)  
2^nd Place – Shameel Praneeth (Gibson House)  
3^rd Place – E.A.D.S.K. Jayasinghe (Squealery House) 

Videography 

1^st Place – H.A.I.D. Hapangama (Squealery House) 
2^nd Place – M.A. Malwatte (Saunders House) 
3^rd Place – Peshala Bandara (Sahayam House) 

• Junior House Overall Rankings  

1^st Place – Squealery House – 254.5 points  
2^nd Place – Saunders House – 243 points 
3^rd Place – Gibson House – 232 points  
4^th Place – Pilcher House – 190.5 points 
5^th Place – Sahayam House – 148 points 

Senior Houses Results 

Set in the scenic and biodiversity-rich landscape of Bellwood, the Senior House participants had a vibrant stage to capture bird behavior, interaction, and beauty. The results were as follows: 

Birds in Flight 

1^st Place – D.A. Gamage (Garret House) 
1^st Place – Ashwin Suntharesan (Simithraaratchy House) 
3^rd Place – A.V.N.L. Nanayakara (Oorloff House) 

Best Portrait 

1^st Place – Charu Dasanayake (Simithraaratchy House) 
2^nd Place – S.U. Subasinhe (Lemuel House) 
3^rd Place – S.C. Dissanayake (Garret House) 

Birds in Habitat 

1^st Place – A.M. Paranagama (Garret House) 
1^st Place – Vidu Dasanayake (Simithraaratchy House) 
3^rd Place – H.M.M.L. Bandara (Oorloff House) 

3^rd Place – M.W.S.S.A. Wijewardena (Central Boarding House) 

Videography 

 1^st Place – N. Ramasundara (Oorloff House) 
2^nd Place – S.S. Herath (Garret House) 
3^rd Place – Seniru Liyanaratne (Lemuel House) 

• Senior House Overall Rankings 

1^st Place – Garret House – 281.5 points 
2^nd Place – Simithraaratchy House – 274.5 points 
3^rd Place – Oorloff House – 251.5 points 
4^th Place – Central Boarding House – 242.5 points 
5^th Place – Lemuel House – 199.5 points 

Acknowledgments 

The success of “Wings Through the Lens ‘25” is owed to the combined efforts of many individuals who worked behind the scenes and in the field. The TCK Ornithology Club wishes to extend its sincere thanks to: 

Mr. Paul Nawamani, whose presence and guidance enriched the judging and fieldwork experience. Mr. Wasana Dissanayake, Director of the TCCEI, for his consistent encouragement and logistical support. We sincerely thank the Trinity College Media Unit for their invaluable support and dedicated coverage throughout the Inter-House Bird Photography Competition. Your efforts helped to capture and share the spirit of the event beautifully. 

Through “Wings Through the Lens ‘25”, students of Trinity College Kandy once again demonstrated their commitment to celebrating the natural world while refining their artistic and scientific skills. With each captured frame, a moment of avian wonder was preserved- a testament to the College’s vision of nurturing holistic learners grounded in curiosity and care for nature.