As per the collaboration and MoA with the Helvetas Intercooperation gGmbH and the University of Jaffna, University of Peradeniya, University of Sri Jayawardanepura and South Eastern University, HELVETAS has conducted the Annual Forum with the theme of ‘Incubating Expressions and Empowering Young Voices’ in collaboration with partner organization Sri Lanka Development Journalists Forum (SDJF).
The objectives of this year’s Annual Forum were:
1. To provide a platform to amplify the voices of the youth
2. To provide a platform for the young members of the InSPIRE project network to showcase their media products developed under the project
3. To promote incubator spaces for media and communication as a replicable model for higher learning institutes drawing on the experiences of the InSPIRE project.
4. To present awards for the winners of the inter-university competition and certificates of participation
The two days Annual Forum was held on the 16th & 17th of March 2023 at Hotel Radisson, Colombo and consisted of:
• Exhibition of photographs taken by the InSPIRE youth network
• Panel discussions and learning sessions
• Awards and certificates for the winners and participants of the Inspire network members who took part in the inter-university competitions
First-Day Sessions:
The opening remarks were given by the Project Manager Ms. Chandula Kumbukage, InSPIRE Project, Helvetas Intercooperation Sri Lanka, Dr.Dharshana Ashoka Kumara, Co-Chairperson, SDJF and, Mr. Nicolas Gerard, International Aid Cooperation Officer and Programme Manager, Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
The first Panel discussion on ‘Impact of Free Expression on Youth Voices’ was moderated by Ms. Ishara Jayasena (Attorney at Law) with the participation of student representatives from the University of Jaffna, University of Peradeniya, University of Sri Jayawardanepura and South Eastern University.
The second Panel discussion was moderated by Dr. M .C. Rasmin on ‘Incubator Spaces for Media and Communication as a Replicable Model for Multi–Disciplinary Learning among Higher Education Institutions’ with the participation of Ms. Poongulaly Srisangeerthanan, Acting Head, Department of Media Studies, University of Jaffna, Dr. Senani Harischandra, Senior Lecturer, Department of Sinhala and Mass Communication, University of Sri Jayawardenepura and Dr. Uvasara Dissanayake, Head of the Department, Department of Agriculture Extension, University of Peradeniya.
Further, the toolkit on ‘Incubator Spaces for Media and Communication’ was launched by Helvetas Intercooperation and SDJF and the exhibition of cartoons, doodle art and photographs was organized by the InSPIRE Youth Network.
Second-Day Sessions:
The second-day sessions started with a welcome address given by Azad Mustaffa, Program Director, SDJF. Opening remarks were given by Ms. Chandula Kumbukage, InSPIRE project, HELVETAS Sri Lanka and the Keynote Address on ‘Freedom of Expression in the Digital Era’ was given by Ms. Dilrukshi Handunnetti, Founder/ Director, Center for Investigative Reporting Sri Lanka.
At the Awarding Ceremony, the University of Jaffna won 25 awards
out of a total of 40 awards under the 8 categories.
The details are as follows:
1. MULTIMEDIA ARTICLES
Place Name
1st place Selvakkumar Rinoshan
2nd place Mohan Mohankumar
3rd place Sarumathy Nagarathiram
4th place K.M.J.Udayangani Bandara
5th place Y.M.H.M. Dasanayake
2. BLOGS
Place Name
1st place Dilshi Nirmani Samarakoon
2nd place Maleesha Sandeepani
3rd place Harshika Madhushani Senarathne
4th place Pandiyaraj Thanusika
5th place Kishopana Suntharalingam
3. MOBILE PHOTOGRAPHY
Place Name
1st place K.G. Dinithi T. Gamlath
2nd place Dishanuka Emil Arul Rajan
3rd place Lakshiga Kanesalingam
4th place Ruwini Wijerathna
5th place Jokeswaran Jovarnan
5th place W.M. Yohan Fernando
4. DSLR PHOTOGRAPHY
Place Name
1st place Kirushika Balaruban
2nd place Niroshanth Navasothan
3rd place Dharmalingam Dishan
4th place Rajakumar Rajitha
5th place Liliyan Arulnesan Rukshy Vinotha
5. CARTOON/DOODLE ART
Place Name
1st place Gabriel Madona
2nd place Romiliyat Nivaharan Dileesiya
3rd place Mahentira Dilaxshana
4th place Dhuraisamy Mohanraj
5th place Christeepa Kulasekaram
6. MOBILE VIDEO STORY
Place Name
1st place W.M. Yohan Fernando
2nd place Ruwini Wijerathna
3rd place Shameer Ahamad
4th place Apiraami Thivakarasarma
5th place Dharshini Radhakirushnan
7. SHORT FILM
Place Name
1st place Selvakumar Rinoshan
2nd place Chandramohan Niroshan
3rd place Sayanthan Abisaran
4th place Shameer Ahamad
5th place Randi Ushara Sewwandi
8. DIGITAL DRAMA
Place Name
1st place Rajalingam Manoj
2nd place Anuradha Sandamali Gunasinghe
3rd place Gabriel Madona
4th place Fathima Nisha
University of Jaffna won 1st Place for the Overall Performance in the InSIRE Project among the four national universities.
In addition to this, University of Jaffna received the Special Award for ‘Active Participation in Practical Learning Workshops’.
News Articles in Media about the Event
