The 24^th “Chinese Bridge” Competition for Foreign College Students-Sri Lanka Final Round 2025, organized by the University of Kelaniya, was held on the 2^nd and 3^rd of June 2025 at the University of Kelaniya and Colombo port city sales gallery respectively. Under the theme of “One World – One Family,” the Overall Competition consisted of a Written Test that measures the Chinese Language and Cultural Knowledge, the Speech Contest, and finally the Talent Contest. The Written Test was held on the 2^nd of June, while the Speech Contest, Talent Contest and the Awarding Ceremony were held on the 3rd of June.

The seven members on the judging panel of the Speech Contest, included Dr. D. A. N. S. Y. Dassanayake, Senior Lecturer, Confucius Classroom, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka; Ms. Zhu Lin, Chinese Lecturer, Confucius Institute, University of Kelaniya; Professor Lei Mingzhen, Director, Confucius Institute, University of Colombo; Ms. Wang Fei, Director, Lumbini Confucius Classroom; Associate Professor Zhang Min, Lecturer, Bandaranaike International Research Center; Mr. Che Hongliang, Xinhua News Agency, Colombo Bureau; and Mr. Zhao Qing, Port City Colombo.

Similarly, the seven-member judging panel of the Talent Competition, included Associate Professor Zhu Song, Director, Confucius Classroom, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka; Ms. Wang Fei, Director, Lumbini Confucius Classroom; Associate Professor Sun Cuibi, Chinese Lecturer, Confucius Institute, University of Kelaniya; Dr. Shashinie Thenabadu, Director, Confucius Institute, University of Colombo; Associate Professor Zhang Min, Lecturer, Bandaranaike International Research Center; Mr. Che Hongliang, Xinhua News Agency, Colombo Bureau; and Mr. Zhao Qing, Port City Colombo.

After a very intense and tough competition, the first, second, and third-place winners of the Written Test, Speech, and Talent Contest were chosen according to the higher marks. As well as the second runner-up, first runner-up, and the championship of overall rounds were selected after considering the higher points given by the judge board.

Notably, Ms. Ji Lili, Counsellor of the Embassy of China in Sri Lanka and Senior Chair Professor Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kelaniya graced the awarding ceremony as the chief guests.

Madhavi Kumari Weerasekara from the University of Colombo, Sathya Jinali Pilapitiya from the University of Peradeniya, and Alagiyawadu Himashi Kaushalya from the University of Kelaniya secured first, second, and third places, respectively, in the written contest. In the speech contest, Madhavi Kumari Weerasekara from the University of Colombo, Sathya Jinali Pilapitiya from the University of Peradeniya, and H. D. E. Wijesuriya from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura won first, second, and third places, respectively. Furthermore, in the talent contest, Methara Mandini Wanigasinghe and Madusha Prathibhani Vidyawansha from the University of Kelaniya won first and second places, while Madhavi Kumari Weerasekara from the University of Colombo secured third place.

There were six third-place winners in the overall competition. They were K. M. G. Hansi Muthukumari, Asini Jayathma Amandhi, Madusha Prathibhani Vidyawansha, and B. G. Minoli Madhushani Gamage from the University of Kelaniya, and Uththara Thisari Ranasinghe and K. M. Parami Kulathunge from the University of Colombo. The four second-place winners in the overall competition included Visaka Dewsara Kuruneru, Methara Mandini Wanigasinghe, Alagiyawadu Himashi Kaushalya, and L. N. G. Dileesha Thisarangi from the University of Kelaniya. The two contestants who won first place in the overall competition were Madhavi Kumari Weerasekara from the University of Colombo and P. Sathya Jinali Pilapitiya from the University of Peradeniya. All the other 20 contestants received Merit Awards.

Madhavi Kumari Weerasekara, who won the Championship in the 24th Chinese Bridge Competition, is supposed to visit China to participate in the 24^th ‘Chinese Bridge’ World Championship which will be held soon. P. Sathya Jinali Pilapitiya, who won second place in the Chinese Bridge competition, is supposed to embark on China to watch the 24th ‘Chinese Bridge’ World Championship Competition and join a Cultural Tour as well.