The Confucius Institute of the University of Kelaniya has emerged as the champion at the 23rd “Chinese Bridge” Competition for Foreign College Students-Sri Lanka Final Round 2024 which was organized by the University of Colombo and was held for two consecutive days, on the 27th of May and 28th of May at the University of Colombo and Sri Lanka Foundation Institute accordingly. Under the theme of “One World – One Family “the Overall Competition consisted of a Written Test that measures the Chinese Language and Cultural Knowledge, the General Knowledge of the Contestants, the Speech Contest, and finally the Talent Contest. The Written Test and the Speech Contest were held on the 27th of May and the Talent Contest and the Awarding Ceremony were held on the 28th of May 2024.
Twelve Chinese Language Learning Selected undergraduates from the Preliminary Round held at the University of Kelaniya on the 25th of March 2024, Eleven Chinese Language-learning undergraduates from the University of Colombo, and Ten Chinese Language Learning undergraduates from the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka participated in the competition and it was nothing but tough.
Dr. D.A.N.S. Y Dassanayake, Senior Lecturer at the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Dr. Wang Fei the Chinese Director of the Lumbini Confucius Classroom, Dr. S. Nimali Priyangika, Senior Lecturer at the Buddhist and Pali University, Associate Professor Ma Zhongwu, Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Colombo, Dr. Jani Samarakoon, Sri Lankan Co-Director, Confucius Institute at the University of Kelaniya, Ms. Cheng Cuiqin, Vice President of the Sri Lanka Overseas Chinese Association was the Judge Board of Members of evaluating the Speech Contest.
Mr. He Zhenhai, Program Manager at Chinese Cultural Center, Sri Lanka, Dr. Wu Hongyuan, Chinese Director of Confucius Institute, University of Kelaniya, Professor Anutaradevi Vidyalankara, Sri Lankan Director of Confucius Institute, University of Colombo, Associate Professor Zhu Song, Chinese Director of Confucius Classroom, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Associate Professor Zhang Min, Chinese Teacher, Bandaranaike International Research Center, Mr. J.G. Amarajeewa, Sri Lankan Director of Lumbini Confucius Classroom were the Judge Board Members of the Talent Contest.
After a very intense and tough competition, the first, second, and third-place winners of the Written Test, Speech, and Talent Contest were chosen according to the higher marks. As well as the second runner-up, first runner-up, and the championship of overall rounds were selected after considering the higher points given by the judge board.
The Awarding Ceremony was held on the 28th of May 2024 at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute Auditorium from 3.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. Ms. Ji Lili, the Counsellor of the Embassy of China in Sri Lanka and Senior Professor (Chair) H.D Karunarathne, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo were the Chief Guest of this ceremony. Furthermore, the lecturers of the University of Colombo and the Other Chinese guests from the Chinese Cultural Centre, Sri Lanka Overseas Chinese Association, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, etc. attended the 23rd “Chinese Bridge” Competition for Foreign College Students-Sri Lanka Final Round 2024 Award Ceremony.
Hansi Muthukumari, and Buddima Patali, in Chinese Language Honors Degree Second Year, and Asha Prabodhani Bandara, R. Shashika Subashini, H. P. Shehani Madhumali in Chinese Language Honors Degree Third Year won the Excellent Prizes from sixteen Excellent Prizes. Last but not least, in the Speech Contest, Gihara Kasundie Amarasena, in Chinese Language Honors Degree Second Year, and H.M. Sithara Maduwanthi Herath, Chinese Language Honors Degree Third Year won the Third and Second Prizes respectively. Madusha Prathibhani Vidyavansha, in Chinese Language Honors Degree Second Year, H.M. Sithara Maduwanthi Herath, in Chinese Language Honors Degree Third Year, and B. V. Tarindi Sathsarani in Chinese Language Honors Degree Second Year won the third prize in the Talent Competition.
It is a special incident that our university undergraduates scored the highest marks in the written test and won all the first, second, and third places.
R.L. Jayani Chinthani Rajapaksha, in Chinese Language Honors Degree Second Year, H.M. Sithara Maduwanthi Herath and Piyumali Pathirana in Chinese Language Honors Degree Third Year won first place and second place in the Written Test Respectively. Moreover, B. V. Tarindi Sathsarani, Gihara Kasundie Amarasena, Visaka Dewsarani Kuruneru, in the Second Year of their Chinese Language Honors Degree, won Third Place in the Written Test.
Apart from all, H.M. Sithara Maduwanthi Herath, from Chinese Honors Degree Third Year at UOK, Gihara Kasundie Amarasena, from Chinese Honors Degree in Second Year at UOK, Piyumali Pathirana, from Chinese Honors Degree in Third Year at UOK won the Runner up, First Runner up and the Second Runner up respectively surpassing 33 Contestants. It’s proud to say that, since 2011, the Chinese Bridge Competition has been conducted, and since the beginning University of Kelaniya has had a record in securing the Championship up to now.
Amid many obstacles and difficulties, the Chinese Language learning students managed to bring honor to the University of Kelaniya through this victory. Also, this marked a new milestone in China-Sri Lanka educational relations. Through this victory, amid many obstacles and difficulties, the Chinese Language learning students managed to bring honor to the University of Kelaniya. Also, this marked a new milestone in China-Sri Lanka educational relations.
H.M Sitara Madhuwanti Herath, who won the Championship in the 23rd Chinese Bridge Competition, is supposed to visit China to participate in the 23rd ‘Chinese Bridge’ World Championship which will be held soon. Gihara Kasundi, who won Second Place in the Chinese Bridge competition, is supposed to embark on China to watch the 23rd ‘Chinese Bridge’ World Championship Competition and join a Cultural Tour as well.
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