COLOMBO: A major ongoing social and community campaign titled ‘End Corporal Punishment in Sri Lanka – Vision 2020 (ECP2020)’, has announced the winners of its islandwide competition for children aimed at raising more awareness of this inhumane practice and the pressing need to end it.
The inaugural National Art/Poster/Poetry Competition that ran from 1 – 18 November 2018 under the theme “Creations for Real Change” was a resounding success, organisers said. They received almost 2,000 entries from across the country, with the winners in the three categories being awarded fabulous prizes.
The ECP2020 campaign was launched on 1 September 2018 and is being led by Stop Child Cruelty, a Colombo-based social organisation in collaboration with the Presidential Secretariat, ‘Daruwan Surakimu’ and the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute. It is supported by leading personalities in the capacity of Patrons, as well as an Alliance of Professionals.
As the first phase of the ECP2020 campaign is dedicated to eliminating corporal punishment in schools, the organisers have drawn up a series of events and activities to create more awareness including the recently concluded competition for children. Entries were received under two age groups – 7 -11 years and 12- 18 years, and dealt with topics such as How Corporal Punishment affected my life?, Why I want Corporal Punishment to End in 2020?, My vision: Life without Corporal Punishment or What alternative disciplinary measures would I prefer instead of Corporal Punishment?.
The winners of the competition were honoured at an awards ceremony held on 18 November at the Sri Lankan Foundation Institute. Sri Lankabhimanya, Dr A T Ariyaratne was the Chief Guest at the awards ceremony. Other distinguished guests included Dr Vinya Ariyaratne – General Secretary, Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, Mrs Sivanandani Duraiswamy – President, Hindu Women’s Society, Prof. Hemantha Senanayake – Consultant Gynaecologist and Member of University Grants Commission, Ms Yasodhara Pathanjali – Artist and head of the judging panel and the two Patrons of the ECP2020 campaign, Ms Otara Gunewardene and Mr Sidath Wettimuny, and its live wire Dr. Tush Wickramanayaka, Chairperson of Stop Child Cruelty.
THE WINNERS
ART
AGE GROUP: 7- 11 Years
1st – Thisaru Dandana (Narammala)
2nd – Danithu Jayasinghe(Nugegeoda)
3rd – Shevoni Perera (Negombo)
3rd Resandi Watakatiya (Gampaha)
AGE GROUP: 12-18 Years
1st – David Liyanage (Ragama)
2nd – Sithum Shaluka (Ekala)
3rd – Muditha Ginigathhena (Ginigathhena)
POSTER
AGE GROUP 7-11 Years
1st – Induranga Wijeratne (Mahiyanganaya)
2nd – Niyumi Rajapakshe (Jaela)
3rd – Dewmin Pogampola (Gampaha)
3rd Aboorva Navajeevan (Colombo)
AGE GROUP 12-18 Years
1st – Sanithu Samarawickrema (Nugegoda)
2nd – G G Oshini Wimalka (Jaela)
3rd – 3rd Yoganathan Anoshan (Vavuniya)
POETRY
English language winner – Misha Miskin (Colombo)
Sinhala language winner – Haritha Pramodya (Baduraliya)
Tamil language winner – E. Seruja (Jaffna)
For more information on ECP2020 visit www.stopchildcruelty.com
