The Award ceremony of the annual All Island Art Competition, Roo Siththam, was held recently for the 9th consecutive year at the Elphinston Theatre. Conducted by Sri Lanka’s Leading fashion retail brand, Fashion Bug, Roo Siththam recognizes 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 recognized for their talents. The ceremony in Colombo was graced by Hon. Gayantha Karunathilaka, Cabinet Minister of Lands and Parliament Reforms as Chief Guest, along with Champika Siriwardena – DIG of Colombo Criminal Record Division, Sri Lanka Police and Hon. Kalaa Kirthi Ravi Bandu Vidyapathi as guests of honour. Actor Suraj Mapa and Dr. Manoj Alawathukotuwa from the Department of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya were the special guests at the award ceremony in Kandy.

In Colombo, 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 Rajapakshe Vidyalaya, Mathara. 

T M Hirunodhi Savindya Thennakoon 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 Sittham is conducted annually by Fashion Bug’s sustainability arm Sisu Diri Maga, which organizes projects to uplift the education and highlight talents of children in Sri Lanka.