Sunday Times 2
Sri Lankan crowned Toastmasters world champion at International Convention
View(s):Dhananjaya J Hettiarachchi was crowned the world champion of Public Speaking at the Toastmasters International Convention 2014.
A student of S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia with a humble beginning Dhananjaya represented Sri Lanka at the Toastmasters World 
Championship of Public Speaking, the world’s biggest event in public speaking, in the final bout for the heavyweight title of “World Champion of Public Speaking.
“It took me 10 years of trying and many tears and I am now one of the top 9 competitive speakers in the world out of 30,000 participants each year. I want to share this victory with everyone in Sri Lanka and India because it’s special. This is the first time a Toastmaster representing South Asia and definitely the first Sri Lankan to set foot on the Final’s stage in the 75 year WCPS history,” Dhananjaya said.
After ten years with over 60 competitive speeches Dhananjaya grabbed the esteemed title after battling his way through a stage with eight of the World’s best speakers.
Kwong Yue Yang of Guangzhoo of China, District 89, finished second, for his speech “Four Words,” while Kelly Sargeant of Houston, Texas, United States, finished third for her speech “Good Bye Wi-Fi.”
Meanwhile Balraj Arunasalam of Sri Lankan origin won the second Vice President election for Toastmasters International.