The Trinity College Ornithology Club held AVISCOPE ’26, an All-Island Bird Photography, Ornithology Quiz and Conservation Challenge, on 10 October 2026 at Trinity College, Kandy. Supported by Edith Cowan University (ECU) as the Platinum Sponsor, the event brought together school students from across Sri Lanka to explore birdlife, demonstrate their ornithological knowledge and develop ideas for conservation.
The morning featured the Inter-School Ornithology Quiz and Ornithological Problem-Solving Challenge. Four schools participated in the quiz finals: Gateway College, Kandy; St. Sylvester’s College, Kandy; Swarnamali Girls’ College, Kandy; and Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo 04. The problem-solving challenge required teams to analyse conservation-related scenarios and present their proposed solutions to the judges.
The afternoon awards ceremony was attended by the Guest of Honour, Mr Dilshad Farook, an educator, naturalist and independent researcher in ornithology. The programme included a prayer by the College Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Sanjaya Gamage, a welcome address by the President of the Trinity College Ornithology Club, Mast. Sawin Danthasinghe, a video presentation on the Club’s activities and a keynote address by Mr Farook.
The Trinity Intra-School Bird Photography Competition recognised students in five categories.
- Hidden Birds: Camouflage Challenge
- 1st: Seniya Welandagoda, Grade 12
- 2nd: Ashwin Suntharesan, Grade 11
- 3rd: Peshala Bandara, Grade 9
- A Story in One Frame
- 1st: Theshan Rathnayake, Grade 12
- 2nd: Seniya Welandagoda, Grade 12
- 3rd: Ashwin Suntharesan, Grade 11
- Birds and Humans
- 1st: Navindu Nanayakkara, Grade 12
- 2nd: Thivaharan Kabisith, Grade 9
- 3rd: Ashwin Suntharesan, Grade 11
- Before You Miss It: Rare Moment Capture
- 1st: Sanula Jayasinghe, Grade 9
- 2nd: Ashwin Suntharesan, Grade 11
- 3rd: Uvindu Jayasundara, Grade 9
- Young Ornithologist’s Choice
- 1st: Sanula Jayasinghe, Grade 9
- 2nd:Theshan Rathnayake, Grade 12
- 3rd: Seniya Welandagoda, Grade 12
In the Intra-School Ornithology Quiz, Seniya Welandagoda placed first, followed by Theshan Rathnayake in second place and S. Kritheesh in third place. Ashwin Suntharesan and Vidarth Lavashanthan placed fourth and fifth, respectively. Merit Awards were presented to Navindu Nanayakkara, Hesandu Dissanayake and Thivaharan Kabisith.
The Inter-School Bird Photography Competition featured students from schools across Sri Lanka.
- Hidden Birds: Camouflage Challenge
- 1st: Thejana Mandini Samarawickrama, Swarnamali Girls’ College, Kandy
- 2nd: Uthmika Evin Leelarathne, Springfield College, Kandy
- 3rd: Demeash Vijayakumar, Gateway College, Kandy
- A Story in One Frame
- 1st: H.D. Pamudu Chethana, St. Thomas College, Bandarawela
- 2nd: Vritti Kaur Delar, Gateway College, Kandy
- 3rd: Limansa Thisari, OKI International, Negombo
- Birds and Humans
- 1st: Abdullah Muhammed Azmeer, Wycherley International School, Colombo
- Before You Miss It: Rare Moment Capture
- 1st: Levi Ubhayawansha, Gateway College, Kandy
- 2nd: Bharathi Cheran, Wycherley International School, Colombo
- Young Ornithologist’s Choice
- 1st: H.D. Thumindu Sithumina, St. Thomas College, Bandarawela
- 2nd: Pawara Matheesha De Silva, Gateway College, Kandy
- 3rd: Insiya Abbas, Methodist College, Colombo
In the Bird Conservation and Innovation Challenge, Vihansa Hasandi of Holy Family Convent, Kurunegala, and Aleesha Herath of Gateway College, Kandy, were named joint champions.
Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo 04, won the Inter-School Ornithology Quiz, with St. Sylvester’s College, Kandy, as first runners-up. Swarnamali Girls’ College, Kandy, and Gateway College, Kandy, shared second runners-up.
Gateway College, Kandy, won the Inter-School Ornithological Problem-Solving Challenge. St. Sylvester’s College, Kandy, placed second, followed by Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo 04, and Swarnamali Girls’ College, Kandy.
Gateway College, Kandy, also secured the Overall Championship based on its combined performance across the relevant competition categories.
The event concluded with the vote of thanks delivered by the Asst. Secretary of the Club, Mast. Thilina Amarasinghe.
AVISCOPE ’26 gave students opportunities to explore birdlife through photography, ornithology and practical conservation challenges. The participation of schools from across Sri Lanka also enabled students and teachers to connect through a shared interest in nature.
The Trinity College Ornithology Club express their sincere gratitude to the Principal, Mr. Dayan D. L. Fernando, the former Principal Very Rev. Fr. Araliya Jayasundara OSB, the Vice Principals, the Director of TCCEI, Mr. Wasana Dissanayake, the Trinity College Media Unit, The School Officers Guild, all participated schools, teachers, students, parents, judges, guests and the AVISCOPE ’26 Organising Committee for their contributions. Also special thanks to Ms. Surekha Koralegama for her support in making this event successful. The Club also acknowledges Edith Cowan University for its support as Platinum Sponsor.
Reviewed by Sawin Danthasinghe (President, Trinity College Ornithology Club)
