On September 7th, we conducted the 35th Japanese Language Speech Contest, proudly graced by our chief guest, His Excellency Hideaki Mizukoshi, Ambassador of Japan in Sri Lanka.
The contest was co-organised by Japanese Language Education Association (JLEA) and the Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka and supported by the Japan Foundation and JASTECA in order to encourage and promote Japanese language education in Sri Lanka.
This year, 9 participants from Category A, B & C enjoyed speaking about Japan and the things that interest them.
The participants were judged based on the content, expression and grammar of their speeches and a Question & Answer session with the judges.
The panel of Judges:
Mr. Dayasiri Warnakulasooriya, Chairman, JLEA Trust
Mr. Tetsuya Yamada, Chief Representative, JICA Sri Lanka
Mr. Hiroki Oi, Resident Representative, JETRO Colombo
Ms. Anna Suzuki, Second Secretary, Information & Cultural Affairs, Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka
Prof. Dilrukshi Rathnayake, Head of the Modern Languages Department, University of Kelaniya
Dr. S.M. Punchi Banda, Past President, JAGAAS & Former Lecturer, Japanese Language Course at the Embassy of Japan
The Opening Speech was made by the President Dayasiri Warankulasooriya and stated that the Speech Contest not only provides an opportunity to showcase the contestants' language ability, but also contributes to further friendship and mutual understanding between Sri Lanka and Japan
The prize for the winners for the Category B was awarded by our guest of honor H.E.Mizukoshi Hideaki Ambassador for Japan in Sri Lanka
Winners of Category B
Winner - K M OSHANDI SEHARA MUNASINGE
(UNIVERSITY OF COLOMBO)
Topic - Paint the picture of your life
1st Runner up - M ERANGA KAVISHKA
(UNIVERSITY OF SABARAGAMUWA)
Topic - Magical Language
2nd runner up - RISHANI CHAMODYA
(SABARAGAMUWA UNIVERSITY)
Topic - Does money have to be number one in life to live happily ?
Mr.Tetsuya Yamada , Chief Representative of JICA Sri Lanka appreciated the contestants and awarded the Category A winners.
Winners of Category A
Winner - S B THISARANI KOUSHIKA INDUIL
(ST. PAUL'S GIRLS SCHOOL - MILAGIRIYA, COLOMBO 5)
Topic - Lets love our environment
1st Runner up -R.A.PRABANI PRAHARSHA RANASINGHE
(JMC GAMPAHA BRANCH)
Topic - The reason I first came to love the Japanese language
2nd Runner up - M.P. ACHINTHA MIHIRANGA RATHNAYAKA
(Wayamba Royal College Kurunegala )
Does studying Japanese mean only being able to speak the language?
Mr. Hiroki Oi, Resident Representative, JETRO Colombo appreciated the contestants and awarded the Category C winners.
Winners of Category C
Winner - H A V ERANGA LAKMINI GUNASINGHE
(UNIVERSITY OF KELANIYA)
Topic - Be grateful for living in the moment and cherish the present moment.
1st Runner up - GALGANAGE DUMINDU SHANILKA
(LANKA NIPPON BIZTECH INSTITUTE)
Topic - The rain will stop and the sky will clear up
3rd Runner up - OMANTHAGE PRIYANTHI WATHSALA
(TOS LANKA CO. (PVT) LTD )
6 months in Japan
