Navy essayists and speech masters steal the spotlight at Public Speaking and Admiral Clancy Fernando Memorial Essay Competitions
The Sri Lanka Navy recognized the exceptional achievements of its personnel in the Navy Public Speaking Competition 2024 and the Admiral Clancy Fernando Memorial Essay Competition 2024 at a special ceremony held on 05th December 2024 at the Admiral Somathilake Dissanayake Auditorium, Navy Headquarters. The event was graced by the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, and Mrs. Monika Fernando, the spouse of the late Admiral Clancy Fernando.
Organized annually by the Naval Research Wing, the Navy Public Speaking Competition features two categories: Senior and Junior Officers, while the Admiral Clancy Fernando Memorial Essay Competition includes three categories: Senior and Junior Officers, and Sailors. These competitions aim to enhance public speaking and writing skills among naval personnel.
Winners of both competitions were awarded certificates and cash prizes of Rs. 100,000.00 75,000.00 and 50,000.00 for first, second, and third places, respectively.
In the Senior Officer Category of the Public Speaking Competition, Lieutenant Commander HMSCB Rajapaksha clinched first place with an impressive and confident presentation, while Lieutenant Commander AGS Silva and Lieutenant Commander WAPK Wagaarachchi secured second and third places.
In the Junior Officer Category, emerging talents Sub Lieutenant WAP Vishwajith, Lieutenant HKJA Dayasena, and Lieutenant IS Kudaligama captivated the judges and secured the top three spots.
The judging panel, comprising Director General Training, Rear Admiral Dhammika Wijewardana, Commandant Naval and Maritime Academy, Commodore Rohan Joseph, and Mr Saleem M Sameen and Mr Hingston Lovell from Toastmasters International, provided unbiased evaluations.
The Admiral Clancy Fernando Memorial Essay Competition highlighted the Navy's literary talents. In the Commander or above category, Commander SN Wickramasinghe, Commander PN Samarawickrama, and Commander KDDS Dissanayake earned the top three positions with their insightful essays.
Similarly, in the Lieutenant Commander or below category, Lieutenant Commander GKI Swarnahansa, Lieutenant DDDC Weerasinghe, and Lieutenant Commander DKGARS Jayasinghe stood out with their exceptional writing skills.
In the Sailors' category, Leading Information Technologist MCM Silva, Leading Engineering Mechanic RDAL Rajasinghe, and Leading Electrical Mechanic UGGG Kumarathunga showcased their intellectual abilities, securing the first three places.
During his address, the Commander of the Navy highlighted the importance of establishing Toastmasters Clubs in every Naval Command to nurture skilled public speakers for competitions. He emphasized that effective communication is a valuable asset not only in military settings but across all organizations. He noted that such competitions play a crucial role in training individuals lacking strong communication skills. The Commander also stressed that leaders must communicate their needs effectively to guide their teams toward achieving goals. He also underscored the significance of creative writing skills for leadership development. The Navy's aim, he stated, is to cultivate future leaders through such initiatives. He commended the naval personnel who excelled in the competition and acknowledged all participants for their efforts. Special appreciation was extended to the Naval Research Wing for organizing the event, Mrs. Monica Fernando and the family for their unwavering support of the Admiral Clancy Fernando Essay Competition and the judging panel for their valuable contributions.
The event was attended by Chief of Staff of the Navy, Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, Commander Western Naval Area and Commandant Volunteer Naval Force, Rear Admiral Chinthaka Kumarasinghe, senior officers from the Navy Headquarters and Naval Commands and a group of sailors.
