Gateway College Colombo proudly celebrates an extraordinary achievement at the Centenary Celebration of the Light of Asia Competition, held on 6 December 2025. Dhanuka Wijegoonaratne emerged as the Winner of the Junior Boys Category, captivating the judges with his exceptional eloquence, clarity of expression, and deep understanding of the selected extract.

In commemoration of the competition’s 100th anniversary, a special round was conducted among all category winners to identify the Top Three Overall Performers across age groups. In a historic milestone for the school, Dhanuka was selected among these Top Three, marking the first time in the century-long history of the competition that a student from an International School has achieved this distinction. He subsequently presented his passage at the grand Centenary Awards Ceremony before an eminent gathering.

The Light of Asia Competition, organised by the Young Men’s Buddhist Association (YMBA) since 1925, is one of Sri Lanka’s most prestigious English elocution contests. Celebrating a century of excellence, the competition continues to nurture articulate, confident, and thoughtful young speakers from diverse backgrounds and faiths. Participants are assessed on accuracy, pronunciation, clarity, vocal and facial expression, and most importantly their comprehension and interpretation of Sir Edwin Arnold’s renowned poem The Light of Asia.

The Centenary Celebration was conducted with great ceremony and reverence. His Excellency Santosh Jha, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, graced the occasion as Chief Guest. The event was further distinguished by the presence of three former Presidents of Sri Lanka Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Ranil Wickremesinghe and Maithripala Sirisena, along with senior YMBA officials, leading educators, and invited guests from across the country. Dhanuka’s poised and compelling performance was widely admired and stood out as one of the highlights of the evening. His achievement is a testament to his dedication and perseverance, as well as to Gateway College’s enduring commitment to excellence in public speaking, personality development, and value-based education. It marks a truly inspiring moment for young orators across the nation.