Season 4 of “The Debater with AAT”, an inter-school debate program will start airing on Sirasa TV every Saturday at 6 p.m. starting from April 15, 2023.
“The Debater with AAT” is based on the UK Parliament debate style, and the first ever edition of the program was successfully telecast in 2013, impressing Sri Lankan audiences with the debating skills of Sri Lankan students.
Season 3 of “The Debater with AAT” concluded in 2015 with the finale based on should the Executive Presidency in Sri Lanka be abolished or not’ and it was a scintillating final between Vishaka Vidyalaya, Colombo and Dharmaraja College, Kandy. Vishaka Vidyalaya, Colombo emerged as the Champions of “The Debater with AAT” Season 3.
“The Debater with AAT” provides a platform for the future generations of Sri Lanka to bring out the best arguments armed with facts to discuss and debate present day issues, and Season 4 will feature 64 schools. Any school with Sinhala medium instruction across Sri Lanka was able to apply for “The Debater with AAT” Season 4 and following a preliminary round evaluation and assessment, 64 schools were selected. The entire program will feature 34 episodes, including the final. Popular announcer Sampath Jayasinghe will moderate every session that will be judged by experts from the relevant fields related to the topic provided for each episode.
Four teams will compete against each other as two teams each for the affirmative team and the opposing team. Each team will be composed of two members each.
The first team in the affirmative team presents arguments in support of the resolution. The first team on the opposing team presents arguments opposing the resolution.
The second team on the affirmative team presents further arguments in support of the resolution. The second team on the opposing team presents further arguments against the resolution. Each team will have to prepare on their own, and the judges will decide on the process. The two teams that make it through will proceed to the next round.