Sri Lanka has achieved a major milestone in international academic and cultural competition, with the Sri Lanka National Tamil Debating Team emerging victorious at the International Sambandan Paindhamizh Sudar Tamil Debate Championship, held in Malaysia.
The Sri Lankan team, captained by Royal College student J. Hareish, made history by becoming the first non-Malaysian team to win the prestigious championship, which traditionally attracts strong participation from Malaysian Tamil schools and institutions.
The tournament brought together some of the best Tamil debaters from across the Tamil-speaking world, testing participants on their command of the Tamil language, critical thinking, logical reasoning, and oratory skills. Sri Lanka’s team stood out for its disciplined arguments, clarity of expression, and cohesive teamwork throughout the competition.
Winning Team
The national team comprised students from across the country.
J. Hareish (Captain) — Royal College, Colombo
Michael Jenushan — St. Patrick’s College, Jaffna
Sivajiny Pratheepan — Methodist Girls’ High School, Point Pedro
Lakshmitha Sivasankaran — Sri Shanmuga Hindu Ladies’ College
Their victory marks Sri Lanka’s first international title in a major Tamil debating championship, and is being hailed as a landmark achievement for Sri Lankan Tamil students.
Significance of the Achievement
Educators and debating circles who spoke to Jaffna Monitor described the victory as a moment of national pride, highlighting the years of dedication by students, coaches, and organisers who have worked tirelessly to raise the standard of Tamil debating in Sri Lanka.
They noted that the success also underscores the role of debating as a vital platform for language preservation, intellectual growth, and leadership development among young Tamil people.
Officials involved in Tamil debating in Sri Lanka expressed hope that this historic achievement will pave the way for stronger institutional support, greater international exposure, and expanded training opportunities for students across the island.
