St Joseph's Oblate Junior Seminary, Kohuwela excelled in 'Abhina'- 2008, Inter-School Drama Festival organized by Royal College, Colombo winning a number of awards. Participating for the first time, young seminarians studying to be future priests of Oblate Mary Immaculate (OMI) congregation won major awards including Best Stage Setting, Best Music, Runners-up for the Best Production and Best Script and Nomination for the Best Actor.

Seminary drama team in ‘Nomerena Hinda’

Organised by Royal College, Colombo, the play 'Nomerena Hinda' directed by Asisi Fernando bagged the Awards for Best Music for Shankar Lal and Best Stage Setting for Judith Sajan. In addition Saman Fernando was nominated for the Best Actor and received a Merit award. Asisi Fernando best script writer won the Runners-up for the Best Production and the Best Script Writer.

The awards were given at a ceremony held at Navarangahala and veteran playwright Lucien Bulathsinghala participated as the chief guest and educationist Ms. Nirmala Hettiarachchi and announcer Ms. Kamilini Selvarajan as the guests of honour.

The cast in 'Nomerena Hinda' included Navin Shanaka, Harshana Madushan, Nissanka Kosala, Janith Aravinda, Asisi Devasiri Fernando, Nirosh Rangana, Sehan Suresh, Saman Fernandopulle and Rumesh Dinuka.

Behind the screen Kasun Eranga handled the stage management, Judith Sajan- stage setting, Kasun Kosala costume designing, make-up Dulaj Pinto and background music directed by Dominc Sankar Lal. Aman Lakshan, Suranga Bandara, Charles Kumara, Asiri Prasad and Nuwan Mendis were the vocalists while Harshaka Srimal and Ishan Madhushanka and Sankar Lal provided the background music. Dilshan Kalhara, Lakshitha, Manoj Krishan, Madhushan Vishwakantha, Nimala Prasad and Sagara Madhushan assisted the production.

Under the guidance and support of Rev. Fr. Lakshman Chrysantha the young seminarians took part in the competition to improve their talents in arts and aesthetic skills.

A large number of leading schools around the country participated at the festival and Ananda College, Colombo won the awards for the Best Production, Best Script and Best Actor for their play 'Sanda Thaniwela'.

Veteran Actor Jayalath Manoratne headed the panel of judges along with dramatist Sampath Tennakoon, actor Prasannajith Abeysuriya and Jagath Padmasiri.