Sashane Wins National Public Speaking Title, Set for London Contest

Standing L-R: Haritha Wijewardene (Vice President),  Upali Ranaweera (Past President), Dr. Nalin Jayasuriya  (President-Elect), Tilak Amarasinghe (President), Thahira Zaheed (2nd,  Runner-up), Sashane Dassanayake (National Winner), Elinor Galapitage  (Chief Guest), Omar Hazari (1st Runner-up), Yasmin Nimaladasa  (Secretary), Rakbo Perera (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 March 15. The three Adjudicators for the selection of the  winner, first and second runners-up were, His Honour Jayantha  Jayasooriya (former Chief Justice), Nehara Nanayakkara (former COO, International Chamber of Commerce,  Sri Lanka and Keerthi Jayasooriya (Chairman of The Scholar). The  official awards ceremony was held on March 22, 2025, in Colombo at which  event, the Chief Guest was Elinor Galapitage, Head of English at Elizabeth Moir School, Colombo. The Chief Guest was honoured to award 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 selected as the 1st and 2nd Runners-up respectively.   

Elinor in her speech thanked the ESU for inviting her and  said that she was honoured to be present. She congratulated the Winner  and the runners-up and wished them the best of luck for the  International Contest to be held in London from May 12 to May 16, 2025.  Over 55 Countries worldwide are expected to take part in 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 His Majesty King Charles III, and the  President is HRH the Princess Royal, Princess Anne.   

ESU Sri Lanka President, Tilak Amerasinghe thanked the  Chief Guest, Galapitage, for gracing the occasion. He stated that ESU  Sri Lanka aims to help Sri Lankan students gain confidence, find their  voice to express themselves and engage in dialogue through the use of  English as a shared language. Offering continuous skill training  together with key annual ESU events such as the National Public Speaking  Contest leading to the International Public Speaking Competition held  in the UK, creates a platform for our students to aspire and grow.

While  the President congratulated the winner Sashane, he encouraged the rest  of the participants not to give up but to keep trying as there would be  an opportunity for them annually.   

He further stated that ESU students will be provided with  the necessary skills and confidence to realise their inner potential and  reach heights they never thought they could. Dr. Nalin Jayasuriya,  President Elect delivered the vote of thanks at this event.   

The vision of ESU is to continue to be recognised for its  expertise in providing people, both in the UK and Internationally, with  the communication skills, confidence and networking opportunities to  realise and achieve their full potential.