“We became Zero to Hero”- Loyola
“Our aim was to go from zero to hero we are anyway winners. This is our first public debating competition and we were able to defeat many experienced and well-known leading schools in the country,” Loyola College debate team who became the runners-up said.
On its way to final Loyola defeated Gothami Balika Vidyalaya, Swarnamali Balika Maha Vidyalaya, Viharamahadevi Balika Vidyalaya and Ananda College, D.S. Senanayake College and Sri Sumangala College
With the feat they achieved in their very first island-wide debate, Loyola College is to initiate a greater step of promoting debating in less privileged schools in the country. “We are ready to help any school in any part of the country who wants to form a debating team and also to help in their debates,” Chaminda Randula Dias master-in- charge and the coacher of Loyola College said. Any school which needs our help can contact us through loyoliandebaters@ gmail.com or Loyola College, Daluwakotuwa, Negombo or calling on 0774340702 and 0722108368.
“Our debate will go to any rural school and teach what we have learnt from this competition” he said.
The Best Speaker in the tournament and four times Best Speaker during the entire competition, Supun Chamara of Loyola College speaking about his victory says “Debating is a great skill that develops the logical faculties. I think the main reason for many problems today is inability solve problems through discussion. I think promoting debating among the children will be a great benefit for the future,” Supun who awaiting results doing bio science said. Chaminda Randula Dias, who formed the first debate team from the school is the mathematics teacher of the school. He said he taught mathematics to all four pupils in their GCE Ordinary level classes and all had got 9As at the O/L. The Assistant coach is Ramesh Hueshan.
Mr. Dias also thanked Rev. Fr. Trevor Martin, the Rector, teachers in the staff and parents for the immense support given. “Loyola College is a school that achieved great heights over a short period and this victory at the Debater is another feather in its cap,” the Rector said. The other team members Shanith Himasha who had done his A/L in arts stream is awaiting results while Supun Dilshan is sitting for his A/L this year in arts stream.