News

Sashane to represent SL at int’l public speaking contest in UK

Published

7 days ago

2025/03/27

Standing from left: Haritha Wijewardene (Vice President), Upali Ratnayake (Past President/ Advisor), Dr. Nalin Jayasuriya (President Elect), Thahira Saheed (2nd, Runner-up), Tilak Amerasinghe (President), Sashane Dassanayake (National Winner), Elinor Galapitage (Chief Guest), Omar Hazari (1st Runner-up), Yasmin Nimaladasa (General Secretary), Rakbo Perera (Hony. Treasurer)

The English Speaking Union (ESU) Sri Lanka Chapter conferred 17-year-old student Sashane Dassanayake from Lyceum International School – Colombo as the Winner of the National Public Speaking Competition 2025, held on 01st March. The distinguished panel of Adjudicators for the Grand final selection of the winner, and the runners-up were, former Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Ms. Nihara Nanayakkara (former COO, International Chamber of Commerce, Sri Lanka and Keerthi Jayasuriya (Chairman/CEO of International Scholar Group of Companies). The official awards ceremony was held on 15th March 2025 in Colombo at which event, the Chief Guest was Elinor Galapitage, Head of English at Elizabeth Moir School – Colombo. The Chief Guest had the honou of awarding the Dr. T.P. Amerasinghe Challenge Trophy to Sashane Dassanayake. Contestants Omar Hazari from Royal College, Colombo and Thahira Saheed from Ladies College, Colombo were adjudged the 1st and 2nd Runners-up respectively.

Ms. Galapitage in her speech thanked the ESU for inviting her and said that she was honoured to be present and congratulated the Winner and the runners-up and wished the winner the best of luck for the International Contest to be held in London from 12th to 16th May 2025. Over 55 Countries worldwide are expected to take part at this Competition.

The English Speaking Union of Sri Lanka which was founded in 1981 by the Late Dr. T.P. Amerasinghe is affiliated with the English Speaking Union International, a Royal Charter based in Dartmouth House, London. Its Patron is King Charles III, and the President is Princess Anne.

All News Advertisement

News

Cabinet approves providing relief to the people of Myanmar

Published

5 hours ago

2025/04/2

Priyan

The People of Myanmar are facing immense hardships caused by the devastating earthquake on 28th March and as reported by the international media reports the death toll is over 2,700. Furthermore, it has been reported that many people are missing while, a large number of individuals have been injured and are receiving treatment.

Considering the long – term close relationship between the two nations as two Buddhist states, the Cabinet of Ministers has decided to provide,

• A sum of United States Dollars One Million

• Transportation for the dry rations collected by Buddhist clergy and other donors

• To have a group of medical officers and health staff on standby for immediate departure to Myanmar if necessary

Latest News

Cabinet appoints ministerial committee to submit report on sanctions imposed on 04 Sri Lankans by the United Kingdom

Published

5 hours ago

2025/04/2

Priyan

Attention of the Cabinet of Ministers have been drawn on the decisions taken by the United Kingdom to impose sanctions on four Sri Lankan individuals recently, and have decided to appoint a committee comprised of three ministers to submit a report with recommendations on the further measures to be taken after studying the facts in the regard and to empower the committee to obtain the service of any officer/intellect deemed to have subject expertise in the relevant field and considered essential.

The committee will comprise of :

– Vijitha Herath Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism

– Attorney – at – Law Harshana Nanayakkara Minister of Justice and National Integrity

– Aruna Jayasekara Deputy Minister of Defence

News

Revised Aswasuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme to be submitted for the concurrence of the Parliament.

Published

6 hours ago

2025/04/2

Priyan

Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 17.03.2025 to amend the Aswasuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme by increasing the value of the benefits already being payed under the scheme.

The revised Aswasuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme has been published by the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2429/02 dated 24.03.2025.

Accordingly, he Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Policy Plannng and Economic Development to submit the said revised Aswasuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme to the Parliament for its concurrence.