Winners all the way

by Husna Inayathullah

Principal, Grade 5 staffers and students of Nalanda Boys' College, Minuwangoda

The Year 5 Scholarship Examinations were introduced by the late Dr. C.W.W. Kannangara. It is an optional examination taken during the last semester in Grade five. Dr. Kannangara introduced free education in Sri Lanka when he was the Minister of Education. He set up Madya Maha Vidyalayas (Central Colleges) in Sri Lanka. The Scholarship Examination was of great help for students from the rural areas to gain admission to national schools.

This year 340,926 candidates sat the examination at 2,907 centres, conducted by the Department of Examinations. Ometh Bhagya Karunasena and Minuga Chanmira Bamunuarachchi from Nalanda Boys' College, Minuwangoda ranked Island's fourth and fifth places in the Year 5 Scholarship Examination 2015 scoring 193 and 192 respectively.

"Out of 238 students from my school, I am happy to say 44 students had passed the scholarship examination this year," Primary Principal, Mala Mangalika said. "We are dedicated to ensure the success of our students," she added. Junior Observer also spoke to Ometh and Minuga.

Ometh Karunasena

"I live in Galkanda. I have a younger brother and an older brother. My father is a businessman and my mother is a housewife. I studied hard for the scholarship examination. My class teacher Anoma Amarasinghe and Principal Mala Mangalika helped me. Other teachers too helped me to pass the examination. I remembered my teacher when I saw my results. I am happy that I ranked fourth in the Island. My hobby is watching cartoons and reading books and my ambition is to be a software engineer."

Minuga Bamunuarachchi

"My mother is a teacher and my father is a graphic artiste. I have a younger brother. I did not make great effort for the scholarship examination. I always listened carefully to what we were taught in school and understood it well. During the past six months, I did model question papers with my mother. My teachers are Indranee Attanagoda and Lakmal Subasinghe. They helped me a lot.

My Principal Mala Managalika too guided us. My parents also encouraged me. I am glad that I came fifth in the Island. My hobbies are playing cricket, computer games, reading books and magazines. My ambition is to be a scientist and work at NASA."