First Round of Interschool Debate Competition Successfully Concludes

The Lanka Rain Water Harvesting Forum organized an interschool debate competition aimed at educating students about rainwater harvesting, water conservation, and climate change. The competition also focuses on enhancing the participants’ logical thinking and decision-making skills, contributing to capacity building . The competition is part of the project “Disaster-Resilient Drinking Water in Flood- and Drought-Prone Areas in Sri Lanka”  supported by USAID. The competition took place in the Anuradhapura, Badulla, Mannar, and Mullaithivu districts, inviting schools benefiting from rainwater harvesting systems to participate.

The first round of the debate competition was successfully conducted in all four districts during the period April to  June 2024, with 12 schools from each district participating. The participants debated the social, economic, and environmental benefits of rainwater harvesting.

The first round in Badulla District was held on April 25, 2024, at the Uva Province Library Service Auditorium. The selected schools for the second round are:

– B/ Kandegedara M.M.V.

– B/ Kandakepuulpatha M.V.

– B/ Malpotha Sri Mahindodaya M.V.

– B/ Godunna M.V.

– B/ Galahagama Dharmaraja M.V.

– B/ Kiuwulegedara Mohottala M.V.

The debate was evaluated by an experienced panel of judges for the Badulla District which included:

– Associate Professor Mrs. Senani Wijewardhana, Faculty of Technological studies, Uva Wellassa University

– Mr. R. M. P. Nishantha, Deputy Director of Education, Uva Province

– Mr. W. A. C. P. Wijebandara , National Water Supply and Drainage Board, Badulla

Mullaithivu District

The first round in Mullaithivu District was held on June 12, 2024, at the Zonal Education Office premises in Thunukkai. The selected schools for the second round are:

– Mu/ Olumadhu Tamil Vidyalayam

– Mu/ Thunukkai GTMS

– Mu/ Naddankandal GTMS

– Mu/ Theravil GTMS

– Mu/ Thenniyankulam GTMS

– Mu/ Koolamurippu GTMS

The panel of judges for the Mullaithivu District included:

– Mrs. S. Jeyarajah, In-Service Advisor, Zonal Education Office Mullaithivu

– Mr. Andrew Piraveen, National Water Supply and Drainage Board, Mullaithivu

– Mr. T. Pratheepan, In-Service Advisor, Zonal Education Office Thunukkai

Mannar District

The first round in Mannar District was held on June 13, 2024, at the Teachers Training Centre Mannar. The selected schools for the second round are:

– Mn/ Kaddaiadamban RCTMS

– Mn/ De La Salle College

– Mn/ Arippu RCTMS

– Mn/ Chilawathurai GMMS

– Mn/ Parikarikandal GTMS

– Mn/ Thalaimannar Pier GTMS

The panel of judges for the Mannar District included:

– Mr. S. Ramesh, Service Advisor, Zonal Education Office Mannar

– Mr. A. G. M. Nabrees, Officer in Charge, National Water Supply and Drainage Board, Mannar

– Miss K. Kanagathurkka, Teacher, Siththi Vinayagar Hindu College, Mannar

Anuradhapura District

The first round in Anuradhapura District was held on June 20, 2024, at the Department of Cooperative Development Auditorium. The selected schools for the second round are:

– Anu/ Parasangaswewa Vidyalaya

– Anu/ Horuwila Vidyalaya

– Anu/ Thalawa Central College

– Anu/ Buddangala Central College

– Anu/ Walisinghe Harischandra Vidyalaya

– Anu/ Sri Seelawansha Maha Vidyalaya

The panel of judges for the Anuradhapura District included:

– Eng. Sudath Rathnayake, Assistant General Manager, National Water Supply and Drainage Board, Anuradhapura

– Prof. N. S. Abeysinghe, Head of the Department of Agricultural Engineering and Soil Sciences, University of Rajarata, Sri Lanka

– Mrs. Suranjee Ammuduwage, Zonal Director of Education, Thambuttegama

The Lanka Rain Water Harvesting Forum extends heartfelt gratitude  to the esteemed judges as well as the authorities at Uva Wellassa University, Rajarata University, Provincial and Zonal Education Departments and National Water Supply & Drainage Board of the Province/districts for the support given for making these event successful.   We express our appreciation to  the participating schools for their efforts in the first round of the competition and congratulate the winners. We look forward to the next rounds as we continue to promote the importance of water conservation and sustainability among young students