The Center for Environmental Sustainability (CES), University of Peradeniya, in collaboration with the Central Province Education Department, organized the “පරිසර තතු පැන පිළිතුරු” Annual Inter School Environmental Awareness Competition 2023. The final round competition and certificate award ceremony were held on 15th of August 2024. The event was held on a grand scale at the Auditorium of the Postgraduate Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Peradeniya and with the participation of enthusiastic students from 17 schools representing the Kandy district, and nearly 200 children, teachers, and principals of the schools participated. This competition was designed to develop students’ attitudes towards the environment and instill a strong sense of responsibility for environmental protection and sustainability. Mr. Ashwin Wickramasooriya, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Geography, University of Peradeniya, served as the program coordinator. The competition received generous support from the Alumni Association of the University of Peradeniya (AAUP), which sponsored cash prizes of Rs. 100,000 for the 1st place winner, Rs. 75,000 for the 2nd place, and Rs. 50,000 for the 3rd place. These prizes are intended to fund environmental sustainability projects at the winning schools, with CES committed to monitoring the progress of these initiatives. In addition, Ceylon Cold Stores PLC sponsored plaques for the top three schools.
The event was honored by the presence of Prof. Terrence Madhujith, Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya, Prof. Ravi Kuruppuge, Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor, along with Directors and Deans from various faculties and the Postgraduate Institute. Also, in attendance were Prof. Siril Wijesundhara, President of the Alumni Association of the University of Peradeniya (AAUP), Mr. Namal Kumara, Deputy Director of the Central Province Education Department, Mr. Sanjeewa Jayasundara, Senior Vice President and Head of Supply Chain Management at Ceylon Cold Stores PLC, as well as other senior officials and distinguished guests.
Dharmaraja College, Kandy won the 1st place of the competition, Wimaladharma National College, Atabage taken the 2nd place, and Hemamali Girls’ College, Kandy achieved the 3rd place. The top schools were awarded prizes and plaques, while all participating schools received certificates in recognition of their dedication and participation. This event represents a crucial milestone in promoting environmental awareness and responsibility among students, equipping them to lead sustainability initiatives in the future.
