Nalanda College wins Buddhist quiz

Thai Embassy of Sri Lanka organised a quiz competition to celebrate the Vesak festival

Participants at the quiz competition along with their teachers pose for a photograph with Thailand Ambassador to Sri Lanka Poj Harnpol
Pics by Kushan Pathiraja

Eye-catching decorations were all over the town and dazzling lanterns were put up in every corner of streets and lanes. Vesak is celebrated in Buddhist countries and it is a very significant celebration for devotees following the teachings of Gautama Buddha.

By taking this significant day into consideration the Royal Thai Embassy of Sri Lanka organised a quiz competition. When considering Buddhist ties between Thailand and Sri Lanka these two nations have a close relationship. Conducted in English the focus of the quiz competition was on the Thailand - Buddhist Diplomacy. There were participants from eight schools; Royal College, Ananda College, Nalanda College, Thurstan College, Visakha Vidyalaya, Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya and Musaeus College. The quiz competition was moderated by Dr. George Cooke. 

The final quiz competition was held on May 7 and four schools were qualified. 

They were Ananda College, Nalanda College, Thurstan College and Devi Balika Vidyalaya. Following their accomplishments the winners received certificates along with cash prizes from the Royal Thai Embassy in Sri Lanka. After a close battle between Ananda College and Nalanda College the latter emerged the winner and took away prize money worth Rs 30,000. Ananda College in second place received Rs 20,000 while Thurstan College finished third. Devi Balika Vidyalaya finished fourth. The third and fourth place winners received Rs 10,000 each. 
Thailand and Sri Lanka have a formal diplomatic relationship which began 68 years ago. Speaking to Daily Mirror the Ambassador of Royal Thai Embassy in Sri Lanka, Poj Harnpol highlighted the differences between the Vesak celebrations in the two countries. “We use the lunar calendar in calculating or scheduling the Vesak day. So this year in particular in Thailand we celebrate Vesak in June,” he said. 

“We share the same Theravada Buddhism. We share the same tradition. Thai people who come here would be able to receive the ‘pancha seela’. 

The Ambassador added, “ I thought of having a quiz with student participation and our aim is to inculcate the concept of Buddhist relations between the two countries. Both countries share the same values and heritage; like I mentioned earlier with regard to  Theravada Buddhism,”

The participants were very happy about the opportunity they got to participate at this event and this is how they shared their thoughts. 

“The Thai Embassy has done a really good job in organizing this event. This is a new experience for us. It is a great honour to be here” a member of the Nalanda College quiz team said.

Winner of the quiz competition Nalanda College

Fourth place winners Devi Balika Vidyalaya 

Third place winners Thurstan College 

Second place winners Ananda Vidyalaya