The Confucius Institute of the University of Kelaniya has emerged as the champion at the Final Round of the 23^rd “Chinese Bridge” Competition for Foreign University Undergraduates - Sri Lanka 2024, which was organized by the University of Colombo.

The competition consisted of a Written Test that measured the Chinese language and cultural knowledge, as well as the general knowledge of the contestants, a Speech Contest, and a Talent Contest, under the theme “One World – One Family”. While the Written Test and the Speech Contest were held on 27^th of May 2024, at the University of Colombo, the Talent Contest and the Awarding Ceremony were held on 28^th of May 2024, at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute.

12 undergraduates represented the University of Kelaniya, 11 undergraduates represented the University of Colombo, and 10 undergraduates represented the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka for the final round.

The members of the Judge Board for the Speech Contest were Assoc. Prof. Ma Zhongwu, the Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute of the University of Colombo, Senior Lecturer Dr. Dansy Dassanayake of the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Dr. Wang Fei, the Chinese Director of the Lumbini Confucius Classroom, Senior Lecturer Dr. S. Nimali Priyangika of the Buddhist and Pali University, Dr. Jani Samarakoon, Sri Lankan Co-Director of the Confucius Institute of the University of Kelaniya, and Ms. Cheng Cuiqin, Vice President of the Sri Lanka Overseas Chinese Association. Moreover, the Judge Board for the Talent Contest consisted of Prof. Anuththaradevi Widyalankara, Sri Lankan Director of Confucius Institute of the University of Colombo, Assoc. Prof. Zhu Song, Chinese Director of Confucius Classroom of the Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Assoc. Prof. Zhang Min, Chinese Teacher of the Bandaranaike International Research Center, Dr. Wu Hongyuan, Chinese Director of Confucius Institute of the University of Kelaniya, Mr. He Zhenhai, the Program Manager at the Chinese Cultural Center of Sri Lanka, and Mr. J. G. Amarajeewa, Sri Lankan Director of the Lumbini Confucius Classroom.

Ms. Ji Lili, the Counsellor of the Embassy of China in Sri Lanka, and Senior Professor (Chair) H. D. Karunarathne, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo, participated as the Chief Guests of the Awarding Ceremony. The ceremony was also graced by the presence of the lecturers of the University of Colombo and other Chinese guests from the Chinese Cultural Centre, the Sri Lanka Overseas Chinese Association, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, etc.

In an outstanding achievement, the undergraduates of the University of Kelaniya have set a new benchmark by scoring the highest marks in the written test. Demonstrating exceptional prowess, they secured all the top spots, clinching first, second, and third places. R.L. Jayani Chinthani Rajapaksha, H.M. Sithara Maduwanthi Herath, and Piyumali Pathirana won the first and second places in the Written Test, respectively. Moreover, B. V. Tarindi Sathsarani, Gihara Kasundie Amarasena, and Visaka Dewsarani Kuruneru won the third place in the Written Test.

Hansi Muthukumari, Buddima Patali, Asha Prabodhani Bandara, R. Shashika Subashini, and H. P. Shehani Madhumali of the University of Kelaniya won the Excellent Prizes from sixteen Excellent Prizes. Moreover, H.M. Sithara Maduwanthi Herath and Gihara Kasundie Amarasena won the second and third prizes, respectively, in the Speech Contest. Furthermore, Madusha Prathibhani Vidyavansha, H.M. Sithara Maduwanthi Herath, and B. V. Tarindi Sathsarani won the third prize in the Talent Competition.

Additionally, H. M. Sithara Maduwanthi Herath, Gihara Kasundie Amarasena, and Piyumali Pathirana won the runner-up, first runner-up, and the second runner-up, respectively, surpassing 33 contestants. The University of Kelaniya has proudly maintained an unbroken streak of championships in the prestigious Chinese Bridge Competition every year since its inception in 2011

M. Sitara Madhuwanti Herath, who won the championship in the 23^rd Chinese Bridge Competition, is supposed to visit China to participate in the 23rd ‘Chinese Bridge’ World Championship which will be held soon. Gihara Kasundi, who won the second place in the Chinese Bridge competition, is supposed to embark on China to watch the 23^rd ‘Chinese Bridge’ World Championship Competition and join a cultural tour as well.