The fast growing popular TV programme "Spellmaster" currently being shown on Sri Lanka's leading national TV channel Sirasa TV, was conducted at the YMBA in Kurunegala where 60 students from the North Western and North Central Provinces convened to battle it out for 12 places to the semi finals.

The competition was conducted in two sessions; the one held in the morning had R.M.Sujani Kanchana Rathnayake from Maliyadeva Balika Vidyalaya, H.G.T.H.Gamage from Swarnapali Balika Maha Vidyalaya Anuradhapura, W.L.D.Minoli Chalanika Jinadasa from Ananda College Chilaw, S.L.Mohammed Afzal from Zahira College Puttalam and G.U.Prabhashi Karunapala from Walisinghe Harischandra Maha Vidyalaya getting through to the semis with ease, spelling both words given to them at the 1st round.

ith 1 more place left, the competition got intense when Weerage Sajith Akalanka from Wickramashila National School Kurunegala and B.Madushan from Zahira College Puttalam had to take part in the 'best of 3', where both contestants were tied, however when the next word was given to them, Sajith spelt the word 'reconciliation' correct and Madushan fumbled when spelling the word 'miscellaneous'.

.M.W.J.Bandara from Maliyadeva College Kurunegala, R.M.Tharushi Chamalka Bandara and E.M.L.M.K.Ekanayake from Maliyadeva Balika Vidyalaya Kurunegala got through to the semi finals after the 1st round of words, leaving 3 more places to be snatched in the afternoon competition.
At the end of the day Maliyadeva Balika Vidyalaya Kurunegala did brilliantly with 3 students qualifying for the semi finals. The other school that did well with 2 students qualifying was Swarnapali Balika Maha Vidyalaya Anuradhapura.

Watch CIMA Spellmaster on Sirasa TV every Saturday at 6 p.m.