Sixteen-year-old Sashane Dassanayake has brought international acclaim to Sri Lanka by winning the 2025 International Public Speaking Competition, held at the prestigious English-Speaking Union (ESU) International Headquarters, Dartmouth House, London.

Competing against a diverse group of talented students aged 16-20 from over 50 countries, including the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia, Sashane delivered a speech that left a lasting impression. His presentation was a masterful blend of emotional intelligence, global awareness, and a deeply personal narrative, weaving stories and insights that resonated with both judges and audience alike.

A proud student of Lyceum International School, Nugegoda, Sashane’s journey began at the regional and national levels in Sri Lanka, where his confident stage presence, charismatic delivery, and insightful content consistently earned praise. In London, his final speech stood out not just for its clarity and depth, but for the way it persuasively engaged listeners, reflecting both maturity and a rare storytelling talent beyond his years.