The Prof. Carlo Fonseka memorial Inter-batch debate competition was organized in collaboration with the 30th anniversary celebrations of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya.

Professor Carlo Fonseka was the founder dean of the Faculty of Medicine University of Kelaniya, and this competition was organized in memory of this great personality.

The Main purpose of organizing this event was to facilitate the personal and professional development of medical students with the scope of improving critical thinking, and communication skills of future health professionals. This event also paved the way to strengthen and to flourish the evolving bond between the batches of the Faculty despite the prevailing covid related restrictions.

Initiated under the guidance of the senior advisors, Dr. Lanka Ranaweera and Dr. Lathika Athauda, this event commenced on the 12th of September 2021, with the preliminary rounds on a virtual platform.

The competition was mediated in both English and in Sinhala, with the participation of the students of the 28th,29,30,31,32 batches of MBBS degree program and the SHS degree program.

The grand finale was held on the 3rd of November 2021 at the main auditorium, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya.

The event was graced by Senior Prof. Nilanthi DeSilva, Vice chancellor of the University of Kelaniya and Senior Prof. Janaki Hewavisenthi, Dean of the faculty of medicine, University of Kelaniya.

The topic of the final round of the Sinhala category, “The attention given by the authorities towards the mental health is sufficient/not sufficient under the current Sri Lankan context” was proposed by the team from the SHS degree program and it was opposed by the 32nd batch of the MBBS degree program. After a great battle of words, 32nd batch emerged victorious. Isuru Jayasekara from the 32nd batch was able to secure the title of the Best debater, Sinhala category.

Final debate of the English Category was under the topic “The expansion of higher educational opportunities with public-private partnership is necessary in the current Sri Lankan context”. The proposition team for the debate was Batch 32 and the topic was opposed by batch 29 of the MBBS degree program. Mahdi Siraj from the 32nd batch became the best debater of the English category competition.

The Prof. Carlo Fonseka memorial inter-batch debate series was a successful event and may pave way for many more such events in the years to come.