Omar to represent Sri Lanka at International Public Speaking Competition
From L to R: Nethaka Fernando-1st Runner-up, Chethana Liyanage - Chief Guest, Tilak Amerasinghe, President ESU Sri Lanka, Omar Hazari-Winner, Dr. Nalin Jayasuriya -President Elect ESU, Dewvin Perera-2nd Runner-up, Yasmin Nimaladasa - General Secretary-ESU
18-year-old Omar Hazari from Royal College, Colombo emerged the winner of the National Public Speaking Competition 2026 conduct- ed by the English Speaking Union (ESU) of Sri Lanka. He will now rep- resent Sri Lanka at the International Public Speaking Competition in London, UK from July 13-17. Nethaka Fernando of St. Peter’s College, Colombo and Dewvin Perera of St. Joseph’s College, Colombo were adjudged 1st and 2nd Runners- up respectively.
The judges for the final were Kshenuka Senewiratne (for mer ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, New York and Thailand and High Commissioner to the United Kingdom), Boshan Dayaratne (Group Director/CEO of CICRA Holdings) and Ayanthi Philip (founder of Business English Global). The ESU, founded in 1981 by the late Dr. T.P. Amerasinghe is affiliated with the English Speaking Union International based in Dartmouth House, London that has branches in 56 countries. The ESU annually conducts the National Public Speaking Competition for students aged 16-20. Last year, Sri Lanka’s winner Sashane Dassanayake won the inter- national competition beating contest- ants from over 40 countries.
Omar Hazari was awarded the Dr. T. P. Amerasinghe Challenge Trophy by the Chief Guest, Chethana Liyanage, Chief Talent Officer- Capital, Maharaja Group. The Chief Guest in her speech con- gratulated the winner and the run- ners-up on their achievements. Speaking on modern technology, she advised the students not to solely depend on AI but to use it wisely and skilfully. She further stated that students should not give up when their attempt fails but to keep trying hard until they succeed. “Great Speakers are not born but they are built - built through practice, practice in silence, practice under pressure, practice until confidence becomes natural because every great speaker you admire today was once a beginner who never gave up.” Tilak Amerasinghe, President of ESU-Sri Lanka in his speech also announced a second Junior Public Speaking Competition for students aged 13-15 in September/October this year that will serve as a feeder com- petition for young speakers to gain experience and confidence. The vote of thanks was delivered by ESU President-Elect, Dr. Nalin Jayasuriya, Chair man, McQuire Rens Global Consulting (Pvt) Ltd. and Non - Executive Chairman, Eswaran Brothers Exports Ltd.
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