16-year-old Yash Nanayakkara of Asian International School, Colombo, has been bringing recognition to both his school and the country since 2021, as he has won not just one but several awards at the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition.

Yash has consecutively earned five awards since 2021: a Silver Award in 2021, Bronze Award in 2022, Silver Award in 2023, Bronze Award in 2024 and another Bronze Award in 2025.

His placement among the Top Three performers in the competition proves him to be an outstanding writer who not just secures a ground-breaking spot on the international stage but also inspires countless young writers whose talents continued to be recognized. These victories highlight one key fact: his ability to captivate his audience and keep them spellbound.

In addition to these accomplishments, Yash has also secured five Best Journalist Awards continuously, once again establishing among the county’s remarkable young achievers. He has won these awards at Sri Lankan Model United Nations, 2024, Royal Institute Model United Nations, 2024, Colombo Orientated Model United Nations, 2025, Royal Institute Model United Nations, 2025 and Sri Lankan Model United Nations 2025.

By showcasing such talent not only to the nation but also to the world, Yash has become a testament to how powerful compelling writing can be and how dedication and creativity, blended with passion and innovation can inspire others to find their voice too.