SASHANE DASSANAYAKE

A LANDMARK WIN FOR SRI LANKA

- BY TIRANYA YALINDEE RANASINGHE

In a year already marked by remarkable global achievements for Sri Lanka, Sashane Dassanayake added another prestigious accolade to the nation's name with a resounding victory at the 2025 International Public Speaking Competition.

The event was hosted at the English-Speaking Union's (ESU) International Headquarters at Dartmouth House in London, a historic venue that has welcomed numerous Nobel laureates over the years. Sashane captivated the judges and audience alike with a compelling and thought-provoking speech that left a lasting impression. So powerful was his delivery that during the Q&A session, members of the audience turned to him for life advice, underscoring the impact of his words and presence.

For Sashane, this was more than just a contest, it was a moment of purpose and pride, representing Sri Lanka on the world stage with grace, eloquence and inspiration.

Naturally, we had to speak to Sashane himself to learn more about his experience, what the victory meant to him, and the insights he could offer to aspiring public speakers.

Q WHAT INSPIRED THE SPEECH YOU DELIVERED AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONTEST, AND WHAT MESSAGE WERE YOU HOPING TO LEAVE WITH YOUR AUDIENCE?