The Award ceremony of the Annual All-Island Art Competition, Roo Siththam, was held recently for the 9th consecutive year at the Elphinstone Theatre, conducted by Sri Lanka’s leading fashion retail brand, Fashion Bug. Roo Siththam recognises the talents of child artists from all across the island.
This year over 80,000 entries were submitted for the competition under the theme of ‘Preventing Road Accidents’. The submissions were judged by a panel of eminent persons from the University of Visual and Performing Arts.
Prizes were handed over at two events, one in Kandy and the other in Colombo, to enable a larger number of children to be recognised for their talents for the ceremony in Colombo the Chief Guest was Land Reforms Minister Gayantha Karunathilaka. DIG, Colombo Criminal Record Division, Sri Lanka Police Champika Siriwardena and Kala Keerthi Ravi Bandu Vidyapathi were Guests of Honour. Special Guests were Actor Suraj Mapa and Head Department of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya Dr. Manoj Alawathukotuwa.
Thuhansa Aindri Ratnapala of Musaeus College, Colombo was awarded the 1st place in the Age 7-9 category, while Senon Hansana Wickremasinghe of Ananda College, Chilaw won the Age 10-12 category. The 13-16 category, was won by K.L.D. Vihanga Sathsara of Mahinda Rajapaksha Vidyalaya, Matara.
T.M. Hirunodhi Savindya Tennakoon of President’s Girls’ School, Saragama, W.A. Sithumli Gehansa Wanniarachchi of Girls’ High School, Kandy and S. J. M. Amasha Janudi Umandika of Vishaka Girls’ High School, Bandarawela were placed 1st in the 7-9, 10-12 and 13-16 age categories respectively.
All finalists received medals, certificates and gift packs. In addition, the overall winners walked away with Mountain bikes, plaques, printed umbrellas and valuable cash prizes.
Roo Siththam is conducted annually by Fashion Bug’s sustainability arm Sisu Diri Maga, which organises projects to uplift the education and highlight talents of children in Sri Lanka.
