RUZAIK FAROOK
COLOMBO — The Tower Hall Theatre Foundation and the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Voc ational Education jointly organized the awards presentation ceremony of the 30th consecutive All Island School Drama Competition at the Savsiripaya Auditorium on Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo, on Friday, May 15.
It was held under the patronage of the Tower Hall Theatre Foundation Director General Dr. D.M.S. Dissanayake.
Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Harini Amarasuriya was present as chief guest and distributed the awards to the winners of the contest.
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya stated that the foundation for developing the disciplined and civilized citizens the country expects is built through the experiences gained during school life. She noted that the government has established a thirteen-year school education system to provide students with the opportunity to gain such valuable experiences.
Although not everyone who contributes to various stage productions and activities during school life becomes a professional artist, the experiences gained through these activities play a significant role in shaping creative, capable, and well-rounded individuals in society. Reading a good book or watching a high-quality film broadens the human mind, opening doors to new ways of thinking and contributing to the attitudinal development necessary to build a better world.
The Prime Minister further emphasized that teachers and parents who help provide children with these important experiences play an essential role in their development. She said that the leaders needed by the country emerge from a generation of talented and sensitive childre and that competitions and tournaments which create the foundation for such growth are of great importance.
Students from the Sinhala and Tamil medium drama contest received awards for Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Production from the chief guest, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya.
The Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Gamagedara Dissanayake, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Pradeep Saputhanthree and Ministry Secretaries and Government Officials participated in this event.
Also, a large number of people, including principals, teachers, students of the winning schools, students of the Tower School of Drama and Performing Arts, and staff of the Tower Hall Theatre Foundation participated.
