College News

Review by Ammar Zaffarullah  In a dazzling display of eloquence and argumentative prowess, the English Debaters of Trinity College Kandy claimed victory at the Dr. Vijitha Weerasinghe Memorial Debating Tournament 2023, hosted by Royal College Colombo. The tournament, spanning three intense days from September 8th to 10th, took place on the premises of Royal College Colombo.  Triumphant Journey to Victory  The Trinity College Kandy ‘Trinity A’ debating team carved a path of unrivaled success throughout the competition. They emerged as the frontrunners in the preliminary rounds, securing the top spot among all participating teams, thus earning their ticket to the knockout rounds. In these knockout rounds, they showcased stellar performances, defeating formidable opponents such as Ananda College ‘B,’ Colombo International School ‘A,’ and Methodist College ‘A’ in the octo-finals, quarter-finals, and semi-finals, respectively. This relentless pursuit of excellence culminated in a triumphant victory in the finals, where they faced off against the worthy opponents from Bishop’s College ‘Gold.’  Meet the Champions  The Trinity College Kandy ‘Trinity A’ team, consisting of Ammar Zaffarullah, Thithira Jayakody, Thesath Keppetiyagama, and Muhammed Jameel, displayed remarkable teamwork and rhetorical finesse throughout the tournament.  Meanwhile, the Trinity College Kandy ‘Trinity B’ team, comprising Shaluka Herath, Sanchitha Wickrama, Nimuthu Pathiraja, and Kavindu Athukorala, also put up a commendable performance, going head-to-head with several tough opponents.  Individual Excellence  The tournament also recognized individual excellence among Trinity College Kandy’s debaters. Master Thithira Jayakody was honored with the title of ‘best speaker,’ a testament to his exceptional oratory skills. Master Ammar Zaffarullah secured the third position among 138 participants, further highlighting the team’s remarkable talent.  Acknowledgments  Trinity College Kandy extends its heartfelt appreciation to their debating coach, Ms. Shanya Sadanandan, and Teachers-in-Charge, Mrs. Premila Wijeyakumar and Mrs. Fathima Majeed, for their unwavering support to the team. Additionally, the school expresses gratitude to Mr. Mohamed Sajath and Mr. M.R.M.Inzimaam for accompanying the team to Colombo.  The English Debaters of Trinity College have once again demonstrated their exceptional debating skills, solidifying their reputation as champions in the world of competitive debating. Their victory at the Dr. Vijitha Weerasinghe Memorial Debating Tournament 2023 will undoubtedly serve as a source of inspiration for future generations of debaters at Trinity College Kandy. 

Established in 1978, the Trinity Interact Club has consistently been at the forefront of community service within the region. As it marks its 45th year, the Trinity Interact Club celebrates a remarkable milestone in its history.  The Interact Club of Trinity College Kandy achieved an impressive accolade by being acknowledged as the sixth most outstanding club in Sri Lanka & Maldives. This recognition was bestowed upon them at the 33rd Interact District Assembly, a recent event held at Temple Trees Colombo on June 17th. The assembly drew an audience of over 800 participants, including the honourable Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardene and various esteemed invitees. The Trinity Interact Club achieved multiple prestigious awards on this exceptional occasion:  The Interact District Council, which oversees the Interact Movement across Sri Lanka and Maldives, was also appointed during the same event for the term 2023/2024. Notably, three Trinitians were appointed to represent this national body, instilling a sense of pride in the Trinity College community:  In addition to the Interact District Assembly, the Kandy District Rotary Awards ceremony titled “Pinnacle ’23” took place on July 15th at the Gateway College Auditorium. During this event, Trinity’s Interactors achieved the following accolades:  The years 2022/2023 stand as a testament to the successful contributions of Trinity’s Interactors to the community, all while elevating the reputation of their beloved alma mater to greater heights. 

By Thusath Dissanayake  Introduction  For countless millennia, humanity has gazed in awe at the vast expanse of outer space. On the night of June 28th to the early hours of June 29th, the Astronomical Society embarked on a captivating journey into the cosmos. Enthusiastic stargazers gathered for ASPICE SIDERA ‘23—a night of learning, camaraderie, and exploration of the celestial wonders.   Despite the passage of years, the allure of the stars remained undiminished, as evidenced by the spirited attendance that evening.  The event offered a diverse array of activities, including telescopic observations and rocketry sessions that had attendees on their feet in excitement.  The Countdown to ASPICE SIDERA ‘23  The weeks leading up to the annual Astro Night were abuzz with activity. Students from across the nation competed in the ASTRON: Documentary and Presentation Competition as well as the Curiositas: Inter School Astronomy Quiz. These competitions culminated in the grand showdown during ASPICE SIDERA.  On the night of June 27th, an observation camp provided Astronomical Society members with a chance to familiarize themselves with the equipment before the main event.  Embarking on the Astro Night  Anticipation filled the air as crowds streamed into the college main hall for the Trinity College Astro Night. Representatives from 14 schools nationwide, along with over 60 members of the Astronomical Society of Trinity College, eagerly awaited the commencement of ASPICE SIDERA ‘23. The event kicked off at 6.30pm, graced by the presence of esteemed school dignitaries including Rev Father Shelton Samadanam and Vice Principal Mr. Krishanthan Anthonydas. President of the Astronomical Society, Methul Dissanayake, welcomed the guests to an exciting new chapter in the college’s astronomical journey.  The opening ceremony featured a keynote speech by the distinguished Dr. Thiloshana Ranawaka, a senior lecturer in the Department of Physics at the University of Peradeniya. The audience was treated to captivating presentations and documentaries from the ASTRON: Intra-school Competitions, interspersed with a musical performance by Ryan Weerasekara and Ometh Bandara.  Keynote Insights from Dr. Thiloshana Ranawaka  Dr. Thiloshana Ranawaka, an old Trinitian and an expert in the field of exoplanets and extraterrestrial bodies, graced the event with her extensive knowledge. Her remarkable delivery illuminated the audience on these fascinating subjects.  ASTRON ’23: Fostering Young Astronomers  The night served as a platform to inspire young minds to pursue astronomy. The ASTRON competitions showcased presentations and documentaries, engaging participants in various aspects of the field. Finalists in the presentation category presented their projects, while documentaries were screened for the audience and the judging panel to determine the winners.  Among the Inter-School winners were Girls’ High School, Kandy, and Rahula College, Matara, who excelled in the presentation and documentary categories, respectively.  Curiositas: The Intense Inter-School Quiz  The gripping Curiositas quiz, following online preliminaries, brought the top 10 contenders to the battleground. These young minds engaged in a series of rounds, tested on subjects including Astrophysics, Cosmology, General Astronomy, Observational Astronomy, and Rocketry. The nail-biting finale saw Ananda College emerging as champions after an intense face-off with Dharmaraja College Team A.  Astronomy Workshop and Stargazing  As the early hours of Thursday, June 29th dawned, attendees gathered for stargazing and launching their crafted water rockets in the college quadrangle. Under the cloudless sky, participants enjoyed quality stargazing while the water rockets soared—a captivating sight that ignited infectious enthusiasm.  A Fulfilling Conclusion  As the Astro Night drew to a close, a sense of fulfillment pervaded the atmosphere. Amidst cheers, winners were celebrated on stage, their achievements acknowledged with awards and certificates. Entertainment by talented individuals like Sithum Mendis and Omiru Jayaweera brought a vibrant close to the event.  Thakshala Medagama, the Society’s Secretary, conveyed gratitude, emphasizing that the event marked not an end, but the dawn of a new chapter. The Astronomical Society had risen from dormancy to the forefront of college co-curricular activities.  Special thanks were extended to the organizing committee, teachers, and coordinators for their invaluable guidance and effort.  In all, the Astronomical Society of Trinity College orchestrated a remarkable show with ASPICE SIDERA ‘23. 

In the hill country of Sri Lanka, where the lush greenery of Kandy blends with the soul-stirring rhythms of the cascading Mahaweli, another musical extravaganza awaits unfolding. Prepare to be swept away by a musical feast like no other, as the Oriental Music Society [ OMS ] of Trinity College presents “Theevra” – a celebration of melody and music. This most anticipated event is scheduled to take place on the 9th of September at the National Institute of Co-operative Development (NICD) Polgolla, promising an unforgettable evening of musical fusion. “Theevra,” the Sinhala equivalent to “Intense”, encapsulates the essence of what this musical show aspires to convey. Music, often referred to as the universal language of mankind, transcends boundaries and divisions and brings people together in ways words fail to do so. Theevra is poised to be a testament to this idea, showcasing an assortment of Sinhala songs from diverse genres and from different eras. As the moon rises over the sacred city of Kandy, and the chilly winds tenderly embrace the audiences, they will be captured on a mesmerizing journey of 2 hours, resonating with the rich musical tones of Sri Lanka. Organized by the Oriental Music Society founded nearly 4 decades ago, and one of the most active societies at Trinity College, this event is a culmination of dedication, passion, and musical enthusiasm of the closely united Trinity community. The association’s commitment to preserving and propagating the cultural legacy of Sinhala music in the College is commendable, and Theevra stands as a testament to their unwavering dedication. The students of the OMS will take to stage, pouring their souls into each note and lyric, creating a captivating atmosphere.   Behind every performance lies hours of dedication and hard work. The singers and musicians have been meticulously trained and choreographed by the dedicated tutorial staff of Trinity College, Kandy. Their guidance ensures that every raga, thaala and swara rata is executed with precision, synchronizing with the audience heart beats. The lineup for Theevra will be spectacular. Two distinguished guest artists, Umara Sinhawansa and Mihindu Ariyaratne, will grace the stage with their unparalleled contributions that will elevate the show to a different level. Their voices blending with the melodies of the students of Trinity College, will create memories that will linger in the hearts of the audiences long after the curtains fall. These artists not only add star power to the event but also exemplify the unifying ability of music across generations. An essential component of Theevra’s success is the collaboration with the Old Trinitian Oriental Music Association [OTOMA], an alliance that connects the present students with the past pupils of Trinity. This affiliation emphasizes the continuity of musical traditions of the College, and the passing down of creativity from one generation to the next. It’s a reminder that music is a thread that weaves together different eras, creating a tapestry that tells the story of the Trinity ethos, which is nothing short of service and care for their own. The guarantee of Theevra goes beyond mere entertainment; it is a soul-stirring, therapeutic experience that aims to touch the very core of the audience’ emotions. Going a step further, Theevra is the voice of the unwavering interconnectedness of the Trinity community. The blend of musical genres, the fusion of voices, the convergence of talent and the merger of resources is set to create an atmosphere that is nothing but astounding. As the curtains rise on September 9th, the stage will be set for a musical journey that promises to be intense, inspiring, and impressive for the hill country audiences. Be there to witness the raw talent of Trinity College’s young musical maestros. By – Lalanthi Rajapakse

ත්‍රිත්ව විද්‍යාලයීය සිංහල සාහිත්‍ය සංගමය “නිවාසාන්තර වාග් සංග්‍රාමය ” යන මැයෙන් විද්‍යාලයීය නව්‍ය විවාදකයින් කළඑලි දැක්වීමේ පළමු අදියර 2023 ක් වු ඇසළ මස 14 වන දින දියත් කරන ලදුව අතිසාර්ථක අන්දමින් නිමා විය. එම දොරට වැඩුම පිළිබඳව කෙරෙන කෙටි විවරණයයි මේ…. නිවාසාන්තර වාග් සංග්‍රාමයේ සමාරම්භකය සනිටුහන් වුයේ 2023 ක් වූ පොසොන් මස 24 වන ශනි දින විද්‍යාලයීය ලක්ෂ්මන් කදිරගාමර් ශ්‍රවණාගාරයේදී ය. මෙම නවමු කර්තව්‍යය සඳහා දෙවි සමිඳුන්ගේ මහත් ආශිර්වාදය හා මඟපෙන්වීම කුලාචාර්ය ගරු ෂෙල්ටන් සමාදානම් පියතුමාණන් යාච්ඤාවෙන් පැතූ පසු එදින සපැමිණි සියල්ලන් ගෞරවාදරයෙන් පිළිගනු ලැබුවේ අප සංගමයේ සභාපති සෙත්මල් දිසානායක සොහොයුරා විසිනි.  තරගාවලියේ නීති – රීතී සහ කාල ගණනය සිදු කරන ආකාරය මනාව පහදා දෙමින් සංගමයේ උපසභාපති සෙත්ලත් දිසානායක හා උපලේකම් විරුණ පියනන්ද යන සොයුරන් විසින් නිවේදකයින් ලෙස සිය වාග් ප්‍රතිභාවෙන් වාග් සංග්‍රාමය ඔපවත් කළහ. තුන්දිනක පැවැත්වු වැඩමුළු තුනකින් නිවාසාන්තර වාග් සංග්‍රාමය පිළිබඳ පන්නරය ලද විද්‍යාලයීය කනිෂ්ඨ හා ජ්‍යෙෂ්ඨ අංශයන් හි විවාදකයින්ගේ තරග, සැසි තුනක් සහ මාතෘකා තුනක් යටතේ නව ආරයකින් සිදු කෙරිණි. විද්‍යාලයේ ගැස්ටර් මහලේ පන්ති කාමර තුළ පැවැත්වූ මෙම තරගවලට අපක්ෂපාතීව හා සාධරණීයව තම විනිශ්චයන් ලබාදුන්නෝ නම් සිටිය හා සිටින විද්‍යාලයීය ගුරුභවතුන් සමඟ ආරාධිත කථිකාචාර්ය විද්වත්හු ය. ඔවුහු ගේ ඒ අමිල නිමල සේවාවෝ අපි හදපිරි තුටින් අගයමු. slu lead table by Sinhala Literary Union ඉහත වගුව ප්‍රකාරව කනිෂ්ඨ හා ජ්‍යෙෂ්ඨ අංශයන් හි විවාදකයින්ගේ කාර්යය සිද්ධි මෙසේ ය. කනිෂ්ඨ අංශය දෙස හැරුණු කල, තරග වැදුණු විවාද ද්විත්වය ම ජයගත් ගිබ්සන් සහ ස්කුලරි නිවාස සම ලකුණු ලබා ගෙන සමස්ථාන හිමිකර ගනිමින් ප්‍රථම ස්ථානයට පත් වූහ.ජ්‍යේෂ්ඨ අංශයේ නිවාස දෙස හැරුණු කල, තරග වැදුණු විවාද ද්විත්වය ම ජයග්‍රහණය කරමින්, ලකුණු දෙකක පරතරයක් ඇති ව ගැරට් නිවාසය ප්‍රථම ස්ථානයටත්, ඕලොෆ් නිවාසය ද්විතීය ස්ථානයටත් පත් වෙමින් අවසාන මහා සංග්‍රාමයට සුදුසුකම් ලැබූහ. සහායම්, සෝන්ඩස්, පිල්චර් යන කනිෂ්ඨ අංශයේ නිවාස පිළිවෙලින් තෙවන, සිව්වන හා පස්වන ස්ථාන හිමිකරගත් අතර ජ්‍යෙෂ්ඨ අංශයේ ලෙමුවල් හා සිමිත්ත්‍රාරච්චි යන නිවාස සම ලකුණු ලබාගෙන තෙවන ස්ථානයත්, සී.බී.එච්. නිවාසය පස්වන ස්ථානයත් ලබාගත්හ.     මෙලෙස  නිවාසාන්තර වාග් සංග්‍රාමයේ පළමු අදියර නිමාව අප සංගමයේ ලේකම් අමෝද කොස්සලවත්ත සහෝදරයා සනිටුහන් කළේ මෙම නව්‍ය අභියෝගාත්මක කර්තව්‍යය සාර්ථක කිරීමෙහි ලා වැය වු සියල්ලන් සිහිපත් කරමින් අප සංගමයේ  හෘද්‍යාංගම ස්තූතිය පුද කරමිනි.     විවාදාභිෂේකය හිමිකරගනු වස් තම විවාද කෞශල්‍යයෙන් සන්නාහ සන්නද්ධ වීමට විවාදකයින්ට ලබාදුන් සති දෙකකට වැඩි විවේකය හමාර වූ පසු “නිවාසාන්තර වාග් සංග්‍රාමයේ” දෙවැනි අදියර දියත් කෙරුණේ 2023 ඇසළ මස 12 වෙනි දිනයට යෙදුණු කනිෂ්ඨ අංශයේ නිවාසවල අවසන් මහා සංග්‍රාමයෙනි. එ කී කනිෂ්ඨ අංශයේ අවසන් මහා සටන ඇරඹුණේ පාසලේ ප්‍රධාන ශාලාවේ දී උදය රැස්වීමෙන් අනතුරු වය. එ දින විද්‍යාලයීය සිංහල සාහිත්‍ය සංගමයේ සභාපති සිදු කළ පිළිගැනීමේ කතාවෙන් පසුව ගිබ්සන් සහ ස්කුලරි නිවාස අතර විවාද සංග්‍රාමය වේදිකාව මත දිගහැරිණි. “අනාගත වැඩ ලෝකයට සරිලන පුරවැසියන් බිහි කිරීමෙහි ලා පවත්නා පාසල් අධ්‍යාපන ක්‍රමය සැලැකිය යුතු කාර්යභාරයක් ඉටු කරයි / නො කරයි.” යන තම කණ්ඩායමට හිමි වු මාතෘකාව සනාථ කිරීම කනිෂ්ඨ විවාදකයින්ගේ කාර්යභාරය විය. මේ විවාදය ඉතා උණුසුම් සහ තියුණු ලෙස කරට කර තරග වැදුණක් බව ගුරුභවතුන් ගෙන් කළ අහඹු අදහස විමැසීම්වලින් ද ගරු විනිශ්චය මණ්ඩලය දැක්වූ අදහස්වලින් ද ගම්‍ය විණි.  අදහස් දැක්වීමෙන් අනතුරු ව එළැඹුණේ විවාදයේ අවසන් ප්‍රතිඵල නිකුත් කිරීමේ අවස්ථාව යි. තරගාවලියේ දක්ෂතම විවාදකයා ලෙස තේරී පත් වුණේ ස්කුල‍රි නිවාසයේ නායකයා මෙන් ම පළමු කථිකයා ද වූ විහඟ සංගක්කාර සොයුරා යි. “නිවාසාන්තර වාග් සංග්‍රාමයේ “කනිෂ්ඨ අංශයේ අවසාන මහා තරගයේ ප්‍රථම ස්ථානයට පත් වෙමින් තම නිවාස ධජය ඉහළින් ම ඔසවා තබන්නට ස්කුලරි නිවාසයට හැකි වී ය. ප්‍රේක්ෂකාගාරයේ උණුසුම් අත්පොළසන් නාද මධ්‍යයේ කුසලානය හිමි කරගත් ස්කුලරි නිවාසයේ ජයග්‍රහණය ඉන් තවත් ආලෝකවත් වී ය.  කරටකර සටන් කරමින්  අනුශූරයන් වු ගිබ්සන් නිවාසයේ විවාදකයින් ද සහතික හා තිළිණ පත් හිමි කර ගත්තේ මඳක් ශෝකයෙන් වූවත් සිනහ පිරි මුවනි. අනතුරු ව සිංහල සාහිත්‍ය සංගමයේ ලේකම් සොයුරාගේ ස්තුති කතාවෙන් කනිෂ්ඨ අංශයේ අවසන් වාග් සංග්‍රාමය නම් පරිච්ඡේදය එතෙකින් නිමාවට පත් වීය. මී ළඟට ” නිවාසන්තර වාග් සංග්‍රාමයේ ” ජ්‍යේෂ්ඨ අංශයේ අවසන් මහා සංග්‍රාමය පාසල් වේදිකාව ආක්‍රමණය කළේ ඇසළ මස 14 වන දා ය. පෙර පරිදි පාසල් උදය රැස්වීමෙන් අනතුරු ව  අවසන් මහා සංග්‍රාමයට සුදුසුකම් ලත් ගැරට් සහ ඕලොෆ් නිවාස ද්විත්වයේ විවාදකයින් වේදිකාව මත කරට කර සටන් වැදුණහ. මේ විවාදයට නියමිත මාතෘකාව වූයේ “පාසල් දරුවන් අතර මත්ද්‍රව්‍ය ව්‍යාප්ත වීම වැළැක්වීම සඳහා වත්මන් රජය සහ වග කිව යුතු පුරවැසියන් ගෙන ඇති පියවර ප්‍රශස්ත වේ / නො වේ.” යන්න ය. විවාදය අවසන ගුරු මණ්ඩලයෙන් ද, ආරාධිත විනිශ්චය මණ්ඩලයෙන් ද විවාදය පිළිබඳ මධ්‍යස්ථ වූත් ප්‍රශංසනීය වූත් අදහස් දැක්විණි. ඉන් අතතුරු ව එළැඹුණේ විවාදයේ තීරණාත්මක ප්‍රතිඵල නිවේදනය යි. තරගාවලියේ ජ්‍යේෂ්ඨ අංශයේ දක්ෂතම විවාදකයාගේ සම්මානයට හිමිකම් කීයේ ඕලොෆ් නිවාසයේ තුන් වෙනි කථිකයා වූ බිහඳු කඹුරුගමුව ශිෂ්‍යයා යි. “නිවාසාන්තර වාග් සංග්‍රාමයේ ” අවසන් මහා තරගයේ  ජ්‍යේෂ්ඨ අංශයේ ප්‍රථම ස්ථානය හිමිකර ගනිමින් තම නිවාස ධජය ඉහළින් ම ඔසවා තැබීමට හැකි වූයේ ගැරට් නිවාසයට යි. එ දින ගැරට් නිවාසය තම ශූරතා කුසලානය සහ සහතිකපත් හිමිකරගත්තේ ප්‍රේක්ෂකාදරය මුසු වූ උණුසුම් අත්පොළසන් නාද මධ්‍යයේ යි. අනුශූරතාවය හිමිකරගත් ඕලොෆ් නිවාසයේ විවාදකයින් ද තම සහතික හා තිළිණපත් තුටු සිතින් පිළිගත්හ.. ප්‍රථම වරට ත්‍රිත්ව විද්‍යාලයීය සිංහල සාහිත්‍ය සංගමය විසින් හෙබවූ නව්‍ය විවාදකයින් කළඑලි දැක්වීමේ අභියෝගාත්ම ඉසව්වක් වූ “නිවාසාන්තර වාග් සංග්‍රාමය 2023” එලෙස අතිසාර්ථක ලෙස නිමාවට පත් වී ය.  එබඳු සාර්ථකවයක් අත්පත් කරගැනීමෙහි ලා අපව ධෛර්යමත් කරලමින් මඟපෙන්වීමෙන් , තම උපරිම සහයෝගය ලබාදුන් අපගේ අනුශාසක ගුරුතුමියව සිටි පී. එම්. රන්දෙණිය ගුරුමෑණියන් ද වත්මන් අනුශාසක වන සී.එන්. ජයරත්න ගුරුමෑණියන් ද උත්තිය විජේසිංහ ගුරුපියාණන් ද වාසනා දිසානායක ගුරුපියාණන් හා සුභාෂ් ධනසේකර ගුරුපියාණන් සමඟ නිවාසයන් භාරව කටයුතු කළ ගුරු මව්වරු හා ගුරු පියවරු ද හදපිරි ගෞරවාදර බැතියෙන් සිහිකරමු.  එලෙසින් ම මෙම අභිනව කර්තව්‍යය සැබෑවක් කිරීමට මුළුමනින්ම ඇප කැප වු අපගේ සංගමයේ සොයුරු කැල අමතක කළ නොහැක. සභාපති – සෙත්මල් දිසානායක, උපසභාපති – සෙත්ලත් දිසානායක, ලේකම් – අමෝද කොස්සලවත්ත, උපලේකම් – විරුණ ප්‍රියනන්ද, උපභාණ්ඩාගාරික – මෙතුල් දිසානායක, සම්බන්ධිකාරක – දිනිර ප්‍රේමරත්න, සම සම්බන්ධිකාරක – කෙවින් අධිකාරි, සංස්කාරක – දුලිත් කුරේ, සම සංස්කාරක – නේමින්දර නත්තරම්පොත, තරගාවලියේ නිවාස සම්බන්ධිකාරකවරුන් – දුමිදු වීරසූරිය, නදිල් අබේරත්න, ඉඳුවර ජයසිංහ, තාක්ෂණික සහය හා අලංකරණ කටයුතු – බ්‍රයන් අශෙල්, මාර්ක් මෙලොහිසන්, සත් ජයසිංහ, හසරංග ප්‍රේමවර්ධන, කෙනත් පානබොක්ක මෙම කර්තව්‍යයේ සාඵල්‍යතාව අභිවර්ධනය කොට උත්කර්ෂවත් අන්දමින් පැවැත්වීමට නන් අයුරින් සහය දුන් ඔබ සියලු දෙනාට හදපිරි ප්‍රණාමය පුද කිරීම සංගමයක් ලෙස අපගේ අභිප්‍රායය යි. තම වාග් ප්‍රතිභාවෙන් පාසලට, රටට, දැයට අභිමානය ගෙනෙන, නව්‍ය විවාදකයින් අභිෂේක ගැන්වීමට මෙම අභියෝගාත්මක කර්තව්‍යයෙන් පළමු පියවර තැබීමට හැකිවීම සිංහල සාහිත්‍ය සංගමයේ ආනන්දනීය ප්‍රීතියයි. නැවත නව සංග්‍රාමයකින් හමුවනතුරු ඔබ සැමට ආසිරි ! විරුණ ප්‍රියනන්ද සමඟ සෙත්ලත් දිසානායක (උපලේකම්, සමඟ උපසභාපති – සිංහල සාහිත්‍ය සංගමය.)

With the culmination of the Rotary International years 2022/2023, a significant event took place at Temple Trees Colombo on June 17th. The occasion was the Interact District Assembly of Rotary District 3220 Sri Lanka & Maldives, graced by the presence of Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister, Hon. Dinesh Gunawardene. The event witnessed the enthusiastic participation of over 800 interactors from across the region, including high-profile special invitees. This celebration marked the acknowledgment of exceptional interactors and the presentation of esteemed awards, signifying the conclusion of the year on a triumphant note.  Master Vinuth Warnasooriya, a standout achiever from  Trinity College Interact Club, claimed several prestigious honours. He was awarded the title of the Most Outstanding Interact Secretary of Sri Lanka & Maldives for the years 2022/2023, a landmark achievement that places him as the first Trinitian to attain this esteemed accolade.   In addition, Vinuth earned recognition as the Best Interactor for Project Interlude, a notable community service initiative aligned with Rotary’s key focus areas. This recognition showcases his commitment to making a positive impact in the community.  Vinuth’s achievements extended beyond national boundaries. He was also honoured as the Most Outstanding Interactor of the Kandy District for the years 2022/2023 at the Pinnacle’23 event. This annual ceremony by Rotary acknowledged the remarkable service of exceptional interactors and rotaractors from the Kandy Zone.  Further amplifying his accomplishments, Vinuth’s role expanded as he was appointed as the District Interact Editor of Sri Lanka & Maldives for the years 2023 and 2024. He joins the Interact District Council Executive Committee as the second representative from Trinity during this period, underscoring his leadership and influence on a broader scale.  Vinuth’s journey of success not only reflects his personal achievements but also embodies the values of Trinity College on the global Rotary platform. His story stands as an inspiration, symbolizing leadership, dedication, and a strong commitment to community service, the core principles upheld by Rotary. 

Article by M.H. Hamzah.  On the fresh Monday morning of July 31st, the students of the ‘Paint Your Own Future’ Art Workshop at Trinity College, Kandy, rushed excitedly to the art room with cameras in hand. We were ready for a field trip to Kegalle, accompanied by our teachers, Mrs. Shanaz Naufer and Miss Amali Peiris. Attentively, we noted our teachers’ instructions  for photography and video competitions. Looking through the bus windows, fingers poised over camera buttons, we were eager cameramen excited to capture the breathtaking beauty of nature.  As we journeyed along the road, numerous pottery shops came into view. Our teachers granted us the chance to witness the transformation of a raw lump of clay  into a marvelous creation worked by  the potter’s skillful hands, on the wheel.  Carefully clutching the pots, we had purchased, we continued to ‘Ipareny Gama‘ (ඉපැරණි ගම) in Pinnawala.  Little did we know, a surprise awaited us. Stepping into the village, it felt as though we had traveled back in time. Upon entry, a cool breeze from the surrounding paddy fields welcomed us. The village proudly displayed Sri Lankan traditions, rich culture, and the creative minds of our ancestors. It evoked memories of the tales my grandmother had shared about life in those bygone days.  The old-time hospital, known as “Weda Gedara,” (වෙද ගෙදර) was surrounded by herbs used for treatment.. The Wedarala (වෙදරාළ), akin to a doctor, explained the methods employed for curing a myriad of illnessesin days of yore. From there, we ambled along a narrow pathway that led to the house of the Gamarala (ගමරාළ), the village chief. The mini museum within his abode rekindled our familiarity with the ancient artifacts we had studied in Environmental Studies. Of course, we didn’t miss the chance to capture the authenticity on camera. The aroma of  delectable cuisine drew us to Kopi Kade (කෝපි කඩේ), where we savored traditional sweets and tea served in coconut shells.  Next, we visited the potter’s workshop, where we had the unique opportunity to shape our own pots. The carpenter’s mastery with hand tools was truly impressive, and we marveled at the inventions of our forebears. We documented the tireless efforts of the blacksmith and were struck by the precision with which a female worker operated a complex loom to weave a carpet. Observing the intricacies of the hand loom weaving machine offered a glimpse into the ingenious, self sufficient lives  of our ancestors.  The showrooms displaying  paintings and creations left us in awe. We extend our gratitude to the teachers for providing  us this marvelous opportunity. With creative ideas and artistic minds, we returned to school, deeply inspired.  Following is a presentation done by one of the students based on his visit. Field trip to Kegalle – Presentation by R Sharwesan.pptx by R.SHARWESAN

Review by Muhammed Jameel (Web Content Team)  “A splendid, toe-tapping performance. Completely in tune and the voices were unified within their various parts, which incidentally, were dynamically balanced” – A remark by the Adjudicator Mr. Norris highlighting the Trinity College Western Music Society’s Performance. The stage was set ablaze as the 26th ‘Sri Lanka Festival of Music, Dance, and Speech‘ unfolded its enchanting journey from July 19th to August 7th. Trinity College Western Music Society took the center stage during this period, stating an unforgettable mark at this prestigious event. In July 19th, the Provincial Competition kicked off the festival, paving the way for the grand finale, the All-Island Competition, held in August 7th. The pinnacle of achievement for the Western Music Society was marked by this victorious evening at the New Town Hall in Colombo.  The Junior Chorale Group, a constellation of gifted young artists including Akain Amunugama, Amrit Victoria, Ashen Wijesinghe, Aswin Ahamed, Avisha Sathiyaseelan, Binupa Jayawardane, Chandeepa Gunaratne, Chanuth Koswatte, Chanura Athapaththu, D. Yadakshan, Daniel Shelomith, Dihen Rajapakse, Dulmina Herath, Ethan Moses, Imeth Pethiyagoda, Induwara Rajapakse, Haayith Ganegoda, Kemitha Nanayakkara, Kumath Epa, Leyon Ravindra, Lithum Lokuyaddehiye, Mark Jayaratne, Minuka Kumaranayake, Muhammed Jameel, Nadeem Samarakoon, Nethul Rathnasooriya, Nevin Kulasekara, Nisith Wimalarathne, Peshala Bandara, Sanija Bandara, Senuja Tennakoon, Shameel Praneeth, Shavendra Da Rafayal, Shayan Hassen, Sobath Amarasekara, Thangaraja Kogulnath, Thenuka Weeraratne, Uvindu Jayasundara, Yenuja Mahanama, and Yumeth Epa, showcased their dedication and sacrificing months of practice in a breathtaking performance. Garnering an astonishing score of 95, they not only clinched several special awards for the college but also etched their names in history by achieving the highest-ever mark in the society’s records and the competition’s entire history.  The Senior Chorale Group, comprising of talented individuals such as Amal Ahamed, Bumitha Nanayakkara, Chamath Sinhalage, Dwayne Perera, Hansana Jayasundara, Hasitha Herath, Hirun Bandara, Joshua Shelomith, Mevindu Attanayake, Minuka Wickremasinghe, Nadil Abeyratne, Rashmika Herath, Ronal Weerasekara, Ryan Weerasekara, Sanuka Illangasekara, Savithu Jayasinhe, Senul Ratnayake, Sethlath Dissanayake, Sethmal Dissanayake, Shanil Senanayake, Tejaka Abeysekara, Thehan Andaramana, Thevan Ratnatilake, Trehan Sinen, Udantha Jayasinghe, and Yenuka Rathnayake, equally dazzled the audience with their exceptional talents. Their melodious artistry secured them another year of outstanding gold medals.  The Junior Chorale Group’s astonishing performance in the ‘Intermediate Choir Popular Songs – English (11 – 14 years)’ category earned them a well-deserved gold medal, with a remarkable score of 95. Not to be outdone, the Senior Chorale Group clinched another gold in the ‘Senior Choir – Religious – English (15 – 19 years)’ category, earning an impressive score of 90.  In addition to their outstanding achievements, the Western Music Society garnered a series of ‘Special Awards’ which included accolades for ‘Most Number of All Island Awards won by a School for Choirs‘, ‘Best Choir – Religious‘, ‘Best Choir – Popular Songs‘, and ‘Best Overall Choir – Under 19 Years‘.  The rigorous evaluation process at the 26th Sri Lanka Festival of Music, Dance, and Speech underscored the exceptional performances and celebrated the talents of all participants. The scoring system recognized the dedication and hard work put in by the contestants.  Reaching a score of 90 or above was a testament to the Western Music Society’s unwavering commitment to musical excellence. Their exceptional talent and dedication to the craft illuminated the stage, captivating the judges and the audience alike.  The Junior and Senior Chorale Groups of the Western Music Society dazzled not only in the provincial competition but also secured their positions as the champions in their respective categories. Their remarkable talents earned them the prestigious honour of exemption from national-level competition, solidifying their status as exceptional gold medalists.  The Western Music Society expresses profound gratitude to their dedicated teachers, Mrs. Chryshanthi Surendrakumar, Miss. Ridmi Weerasinghe, and Mr. Mark Vernon, for their invaluable guidance in nurturing these budding talents.  The 26th Sri Lanka Festival of Music, Dance, and Speech once again bore witness to the brilliance of the Western Music Society. Their unwavering commitment to musical excellence continues to inspire, making an indelible mark in the landscape of music and performing arts at Trinity College, Kandy. 

Article by Amoda Kossalawatte and Nemindhara Naththarampotha.  History was made on Thursday, 13th July 2023, as Trinity College Kandy witnessed the dawning of a new era in innovation and inquiry. The Lakshman Kadirgamar Auditorium became the stage for a momentous occasion – the inaugural meeting of the Young Inventors’ and Researchers’ Club (YIRC). With a vision to nurture curiosity and foster groundbreaking ideas, the club was officially launched, heralding an age of creativity, collaboration, and limitless possibilities.  Fostering a New Era of Innovation and Research  The Young Inventors’ and Researchers’ Club was founded with the aim of providing students a platform to explore, experiment, and collaborate in pursuit of their scientific passions. The club promises to be a sanctuary where ideas can be freely exchanged and allowed to bloom into revolutionary breakthroughs.  Welcoming New Members  The event commenced with an uplifting welcome speech delivered by the Secretary of the Club, N.A.B. Kossalawatte. With warmth and enthusiasm, he greeted the eager faces in the audience, inviting them to embark on an extraordinary journey of exploration and discovery.  Vision and Mission  Taking the stage next was the esteemed President of the Club, Nemindhara Naththarampotha. He elaborated on the club’s vision and mission, envisioning a future where young minds push the boundaries of human knowledge through relentless innovation and inquisitiveness. The mission of the YIRC is to nurture advancement, encourage collaboration, and ignite the flames of creativity among its members.  Roadmap for 2023  With passion and excitement, the President unveiled the roadmap for the club’s upcoming year. He highlighted three key events that would define the club’s journey in 2023:  The Trajectory of the Club  The Master In Charge, Mr. Wasana Dissanayake, emphasized the importance of research in education and the role it plays in developing critical thinking. He explained the significance of researchers and inventors in progressing humanity, combining methodical processes and daredevil approaches to achieve remarkable progress. Plans for hosting workshops with invited university lecturers were also announced to familiarize students with advanced concepts.  Innovate Your Minds  The Assistant Secretary of the Club, Thusath Dissanayake, addressed the gathering about his experience in researching and innovating. He inspired the members to combat the fear of failure, ask questions, and innovate fearlessly.  The Founding Members  The Young Inventors and Researchers Club owes its remarkable journey to the visionary founding members who tirelessly worked to turn their dreams into reality. At the forefront of this trailblazing team is our esteemed Staff Adviser, Mr. Wasana Dissanayake, whose guidance and unwavering support have been the cornerstone of our success. Leading the charge as President is Master Nemindhara Naththarampotha, whose passion for innovation and research has inspired countless young minds.  Conclusion  The inauguration of the Young Inventors’ and Researchers’ Club marked a pivotal moment in the lives of Trinity College Kandy’s students. With a visionary President at the helm, a passionate committee supporting the cause, and a multitude of eager minds hungry for knowledge, the YIRC is poised to revolutionize the landscape of innovation and research within the college and beyond. Armed with belief and inspiration, these young inventors and researchers are all set to chart a course towards making a profound impact on the world through their groundbreaking discoveries and inventions. The future of the YIRC shines brighter than ever before, and its journey has just begun.  Young INVENTORS’ and RESEARCHER’S’ club – Inaugural Meeting

Review by Nimuthu Pathiraja (Web Content Team)    Trinity College recently concluded its impactful Climate Week program, which echoed the powerful message, “If we protect the environment, it will protect us,” throughout its premises. Held from July 3rd to July 7th, this significant event was organized by the Trinity College Environment Pioneer Brigade, under the visionary concept of Principal Rev. Fr. Araliya Jayasundara OSB. The program aimed to educate students about the urgent threat of climate change and its impact on our future.  The Climate Week program had a multitude of objectives. First, it aimed to raise awareness about environmental issues among students, teachers, and staff. Additionally, it sought to encourage the adoption of sustainable practices in daily life, such as reducing waste, conserving energy, using eco-friendly products, and promoting sustainable transportation. The program also aimed to foster teamwork and collaboration among students, teachers, and staff, recognizing that addressing environmental challenges requires collective effort. Furthermore, it aimed to promote environmental education and inspire students to develop an interest in environmental science and sustainability. Lastly, it aimed to showcase the ongoing environmental initiatives and projects within the school community, inspiring others to get involved.  Throughout the week, a series of noteworthy speeches and initiatives captivated the participants. On July 5th, a special educational program was held for middle school students, featuring two keynote speeches from renowned experts in their respective fields. Dr. Sewwandhi Chandrasekara, a prominent lecturer from the Department of Agricultural Engineering at the University of Peradeniya, delivered an instrumental speech on “Climate Change and What We Can Do About It.” Additionally, Mr. Akila Lakshan from Cleantech PVT. LTD. provided a brief lecture on “Solid Waste Management.”  Two days later, at the Upper School assembly, Professor Dushantha Madagedara delivered an unprecedented speech on “How We Can Combat Air Pollution.” Later that same day, a bid to establish a medicinal herbal plantation near the College Chapel Drive concluded successfully. This initiative aimed to educate students about our indigenous plant history in a resourceful manner.  Undoubtedly, the Poetry and Poster competition, held to commemorate Climate Week, was one of the most anticipated events. The students from both the Middle and Upper School exhibited remarkable enthusiasm and unparalleled commitment, reflecting their dedication to building a better society for the future.  The program effectively educated students about critical topics that are often overlooked. We express our heartfelt gratitude to the Haritha Pavura Society for their unwavering support, without which the event would not have been a success. The distinguished lecturers, Professor Dushantha Madagedara, Dr. Sewwandhi Chandrasekara, and Mr. Akila Lakshan, also deserve special recognition for their valuable contributions.  We would like to extend our appreciation to the Principal Rev. Fr. Araliya Jayasundara OSB, Vice Principal Mr. Krishanthan Anthonydas, Headmistress Mrs. Krishni George, Co-Curricular Coordinator Mr. Wasana Dissanayake, and Mrs. Nimesha Wimalasena, the teacher in charge of the Environment Pioneer Brigade. We also acknowledge the support of Mr. Mohamed Zarook, Mr. Mohamed Inzimam, Mrs. Kaushani Amarasinghe, Mrs. Darshani Abeykoon, and all the teachers and support staff who played an instrumental role in the success of the program.  The Climate Week program at Trinity College has undoubtedly left a lasting impact on students, inspiring them to become advocates for environmental conservation. Equipped with the knowledge gained during this event, the Trinity community is poised to make significant contributions towards a sustainable future. 

Article written by Yumeth Gunathilake & Kavithra Rajapaksha from the Junior School Nature Club We, the nature lovers of the Junior School Nature Club, had an unforgettable experience visiting Dunumadalawa. We eagerly awaited the day when our teacher, Mrs. Indu Gunawardena, announced the “Walk.” Equipped with backpacks filled with binoculars, notebooks, pencils, caps, raincoats, first aid kits, snacks in reusable boxes, and large water bottles, we were ready for our adventure. The night before our walk felt long as we eagerly awaited dawn. We gathered at school by 6:30 a.m. and reached the gates of Dunumadalawa Forest Reserve around 7 a.m. Our guide warmly welcomed us and accompanied us throughout the reserve. As we stepped into the forest, a sense of adventure overcame us. The air flowing through the towering trees was cool and fresh, inviting us to take deep breaths and embrace its purity. We made sure to maintain our best behavior, respecting the tranquility of the forest. With each step, the forest grew thicker and darker, making us feel tinier. We walked through the forest, observing birds and animals, feeling like we were part of a magnificent green wonderland. There was so much to see and explore, and it made us realize how much we were missing out on this fresh greenery in our daily lives. The fatigue from the challenging forest path vanished as we immersed ourselves in the natural symphony. The melodious calls of birds and the dancing trees created a magical atmosphere. The forest was full of wonders, sparking our curiosity and leading us to ask questions. Luckily, we had two experts, Dr. Harsha Ariyaratne and Dr. Nishan Dharmasena, who shared their vast knowledge about animals, birds, snakes, and trees. With their guidance, we were able to identify many birds and animals, including monkeys, birds, squirrels, lizards, snakes, and many other small creatures. They explained that Dunumadalawa is a home to many birds endemic to Sri Lanka. During our visit, we had the privilege of observing some incredible birds. The Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike, Brown Capped Babbler, Tickle’s Blue Flycatcher, Velvet Fronted Nuthatch, and Grey Headed Fish Eagle were among the species we spotted. We were also delighted by the colorful butterflies, such as the Blue Mormon, Common Lascar, and Common Albatross. The combination of trees, fresh air, and the sounds of animals creates a truly enchanting forest experience. We managed to capture these special moments, serving as a reminder to seek more opportunities to explore and reconnect with nature. Situated at the heart of the world heritage city, Kandy, Dunumadalawa Forest Reserve is a lush green paradise covering around 480 hectares. In the early 1900s, it used to be a busy coffee, cocoa, and tea plantation known as “Walker’s Estate” or Wakara Watte. Ancient coffee, cocoa, and tea plants, as well as the ruins of Walker’s Estate, can still be found here. The forest reserve is not only a treasure trove of nature but also serves as a crucial water source for Kandy. The British built Dunumadalawa Wewa to provide drinking water to the city, and together with Roseneath Wewa, they contain enough water to support the population of Kandy. The forest reserve is protected under the guidance of the Municipal Council of Kandy. Dunumadalawa Forest Reserve is home to 13 bird species and 29 sub-species that can only be found here. The forest is also a habitat for various animals, including leopards, fishing cats, rusty spotted cats, barking deer, monkeys, wild boars, and porcupines. It’s like a big cat family living alongside other fascinating creatures! One of the important roles of this forest reserve is to help control air pollution in Kandy. Both Dunumadalawa and Udawattekele play a vital role in preventing pollution levels from worsening, while also providing greenery to the entire Kandy area. References: