Under debate

The Debater's Council along with the Moot Court and Debating Society of the Faculty of Law of the University of Colombo organised a series of three workshops which included one for the students of the Law Faculty, another for the adjudicators and one for school children. The latter was held at the Faculty of Law on August 15 where around 120 students from various school between the ages of 16 and 18, participated.

Speaking to Gehan Gunatilleke who is part of the Debater's Council, he said that this is "an independent society of past and present debaters where the main functions are providing services which include adjudication, training and also the selecting of the world schools debating team." And he went on to say that they got together around two years ago to form this council for those who were out of university, adding, "we hope to become a national level organisation at some point."

The style followed at these workshops were, the British Parliamentary and World Schools format and they were conducted by Sam Block and Mhairi Murdoch. And the main sponsors for these workshops were the Neelan Thiruchelvam Trust and Our World English School.

Sam Block, was ranked as Best Speaker at the World Universities Debating Competition 2008, which was held in Assumption, Thailand. The main purpose of having him here for the workshops was with the purpose of coaching the team from Sri Lanka who will be participating in the World Schools Debating Competition. And speaking to the four members of the team they seemed quite confident about doing well at the competition which is to be held in the US this year.

"They have been enjoying themselves, they get involved and seem very eager," said Sam, adding that the seniors have done some debating prior to this workshop. "Some are a little apprehensive but have done pretty well." He went on to say that the students have said they have gained a lot, which he was happy to hear.

David Rajasingham (17), who is the captain of the team and a student of S. Thomas' College, Mt. Lavinia said, "I got interested in debating when one of my schoolmates Prawira introduced me to it - this was in 2006," and in terms of the plus points of debating he says, "you tend to know much more and are forced to research." With regard to the World Schools Debating Competition, in the US, he says, "from what we've heard, we have a fairly good chance."

Adding to this, Prawira Saldin (18), also a student of S. Thomas' College said, "It would be great if we can reach the quarter finals or the semis" he said, adding, "there's a possibility we could get far." And what got him interested in debating, was, watching movies where lawyers litigate, "I thought debating would help me be like these lawyers."

A student of Ananda College, Tharindra Gooneratne (17) said it all started for him because, he likes to speak in public and debate." With regard to the workshops, "I gained a lot in terms of style," and went on to say he learnt how to build up arguments in a way a judge and audience would respond.

"I used to be fascinated watching the seniors debate at the inter house debates," said Sandaruwani de Silva (17), a student of Bishop's College who started debating in the junior school. "This workshop goes in to detail," Sandaruwani said, adding, "they told us their experiences on how debates are judged," and that this will help them at international competitions.

Both Mhairi and Sam had learnt to debate at Cambridge and taught debating as well at the summer school. At this programme there had been people from all around the world. They have worked with a vast age group of people from the ages of seven to 47 years. And they are both involved with Our World English School which conducts the Global Young Leaders Course. "It's been largely positive," Mhairi said, considering, "lots of them have not done debating," as she spoke to us during the break of the workshop she conducted for the juniors. "Most of the people have said something in front of the audience," adding, "it seems to be quite successful."

A student of Musaeus College, Kalani Kulathilaka (16) participated in the workshop for juniors and said she debates in school and said, "I was forced to join but once I did I started simply loving it and it has become one of my passions." Through the workshops, "They have taught us how to analyse, get used to the British Parliamentary style, present your arguments and how to prove yourself," adding, "It boosts up your public speaking skills."

Another one of the juniors, Ganatharan (15) from Hindu College commented on the way the workshops were conducted, in terms of how, "it was something different because our way of teaching in schools is different," adding that, "the basics and concepts were the same but there was practical work," which helped. And he went on to say, "debating is a skill that comes in handy even after leaving school and can be used for anything."