Nestlé Lanka’s All-Island Schools Art Competition named ‘Preserving Mother Earth through the Expression of Art’ concluded last week, awarding the winners of the Junior and Senior categories.
This competition was organised in celebration of World Environment Day together with the Ministry of Education and Central Environmental Authority (CEA) as an extension of the School Waste Management Programme, an initiative which helps create awareness on responsible waste disposal in the future generation of Sri Lanka.
The programme reached approximately 400,000 students in over 800 schools around the country this year.
“The School Waste Management Programme is an important initiative in our journey towards creating a waste-free future. Educating school children on responsible waste management helps strengthen the segregation and collection of waste and inspire positive behavioural change. We are delighted to have helped organize the Art Competition which not only served as a platform for showcasing the creative skills of emerging artists, but also helped reinforce the importance of taking action towards a greener and cleaner tomorrow,” said Bernie Stefan, Managing Director, Nestlé Lanka.
An event was held on June 13, at the Gothami Balika Vidyala, Colombo, to recognise and award the winners selected. The event was graced by the Dr. Susil Premajayantha, Minister of Education; Venura Fernando, Chairman of the CEA and officials representing the partnering entities and Gothami Balika Vidyalaya, including the Principal, Sunethra Wickramasinghe.
“This art competition has not only offered a platform for students to express their commitment towards environmental stewardship and sustainability but have also created budding artists and innovators with the talent to artistically portray their ideas. We, at the Ministry of Education firmly believe in cultivating a sense of environmental responsibility among children right from their early school years, and this event is an ideal outlet to create awareness and foster a collective responsibility to protect and preserve our planet” said Honourable Dr. Susil Premajayantha, Minister of Education.
Central Environmental Authority Chairman Venura Fernando said, “We are thrilled to see the participation from talented young artists across the island. Given that plastic pollution is a pressing issue at present, this initiative is an ideal platform to engage and empower children, raising awareness on responsible waste disposal through their artistic talents.”
Winners of the two categories are below;
Junior: First Place – E.G. Kavithma Induvaranee, Mahamaya Girls’ College; Second Place – Hettiarachchige Lakmini Madurangi, Ananda Balika Vidyalaya and Third Place – N.G.K.V. Kithmal Namalgamuva, Eheliyagoda Dharmapala Maha Vidyalaya and G.A. Jithuli Yumalya, Musaeus College.
Senior: First Place – M.A. Nethmi Methsala Manamendra, Luxapana M. Maha Vidyalaya; Second Place – B.K. Rachika Rinusha Biyanwala, Wariyapola Sri Sumangala Vidyalaya and Third Place – H.M. Samadhi Weerasooriya, Rathnavali Balika Vidyalaya Gampaha.
