O/L 2013 Best Results-holders

 


Winners of O/L ... what they told in their own words
Thapoda Harindi Gangodawila of Colombo Vishaka Vidyalaya who achieved First Place.

"I was able to achieve a victory like this because I was able to manage my studies well on a daily basis and also studied well". Student Thapoda Harindi Gangodawila of Colombo Vishaka Vidyalaya said


yesterday (3) that she was really happy for having come first in Sri Lanka at the GCE O'L examination.

Student Thapoda Harindi was successful at the 5th Scholarship by getting 192 marks and was placed in 10th position in Sri Lanka. She was a student of Horana Royal National School in the Primary section and Thapoda excelled in extra-curricular activities just as much in studies, got the opportunity of entering Colombo Vishaka Vidyalaya. She was a member of the school dancing troupe as well as being a student member of the parliament during the years 2010 - 2011. Later she became a student Minister.

"I exerted myself for each and every subject. I thank my mother, father as well as the Principal of my school including the members of the staff for this success.My younger sister Chathupama passed the scholarship and is studying in the seventh standard at Vishaka Vidyalaya.What I ask from every nangi and malli is to allocate a time for every subject and do his or her studies if one wants to be successful. Then you can be successful with the word Victory". Thapoda said these words with eyes full of happiness. Mrs. Priyanthi Amaratubga, mother of Thapoda living in Gonapola, Horana operates as a teacher of Moragahahena Vidalaya while Mr. Ranjith, the father is an Executive Officer at a private establishment at Gangodawila. Thapoda has hopes of following her A/L studies in the Bio-science stream.

 
Menushika Jayani Kariyawasam of Gampaha Ratnavali Balika Vidyalaya who achieved First Place.

She had this to say: "I was able to become first at the GCE O/L exam in Sri Lanka. The O/L exam actually was a challenge tome. With the results I have got today I think I faced that challenge well. My success is not a success only of my own. It was my mother and father and malli who was behind my success as giant shadows and the support they gave me can't be measured.

With me... our whole family sat for the O/L. It was an O/L background which was therein our home. I got all facilities I needed for my O/L exam from home. The greatest gift I received was my family.

I can't finish commenting on the co-operation and dedication given by way of the Principal and the staff of teachers of my school. We were constantly encouraged for the exam by being provided with extra classes and extra tests. The only ambition of the Principal was to direct all of us towards one result by discussing question papers and dedicate herself to rectifying shortcomings we had at the time when answering the exam. I believe that I gave myself the maximum gift which I could afford to give her.

In the same way I take this opportunity to remember all teachers of my school with affection. Our staff of teachers were behind every sister of ours who sat for the O/Ls.

They provided us with a fine understanding by answering past question papers, how to answer the questions, how to manage our time and how marks are given to the questions. W were sent to the exam well-armed. This success of mine is not a success that I alone achieved. When I took the pen into my hands and started answering the paper, hundreds of others answered the same exam with hundreds of pens, together with me. What I tell nangila and mallila who are to sit for the exam in the future is not o make their external skills an obstruction. To develop those ... all those extra-curricular activities give us a boost.

I am a perfect in my school. I am a member of the Madya Sansadaya ... a netball player. It was by engaging in a number of extra-curricular activities that I was able to achieve this success. But when the exam draws nigh ... don't be glued to other outside activities. You must give first place always to education. I ask my nangila, mallila to head towards your target ... thinking of the exam. 

I didn't have a specific time-table for studies. I worked according to the time-be I had in my mind. I attended extra classes .... attended extra classes in school. I had no definite idea as to how many hours I study for a day. I managed the time I required for my studies. I had a goal that I would come within the first ten in Sri Lanka. Of course I had no hope of becoming the first. After writing for the exam I believed that I have a district skill. I hope to study in the Bio-science stream and become a doctor. The desire I had during my childhood of course has changed a lot. It was to become an Engineer that I wanted to when I was small. I took 180 marks at the scholarship exam. I remember with great affection the Principal including members of the staff of the school which I attended upto the 5th standard.

 
Uchitha Thejan Gunasekera  from Matara Rahula Vidyalaya who achieved Second Place.

Following are his comments: I remember my parents with much love at this moment who became a great strength to me to achieve second position at the O/L exam. Not only in educational studies, it was my father and mother who ere behind my back in every activity of my life. In the same way the Principal and members of the staff of my school carried out an immeasurable service for us. Various programmes were activated from Year 9 onwards, targetting the O/Ls.

I of course did not break rest and study as such. But I did m studies till about 10, 11 in the night. In the same way I got up at about 5 in the morning and did my studies. I had the habit of finishing my studies each day. Because of that I did not miss my daily studies.

I functioned as a school prefect and in the same way I also engaged in sports whenever I was at home ... watched TV. So I was not confined t studies alone.

I managed to get 192 marks at the scholarship exam and also came first in Matara District. After the scholarship exam I had an objective ... to pass O/L well ... but I didn't expect a big success lie this. I did the O/Ls in the English medium.Because of that very reason I didn't anticipate high results. But when I was following my studies in the English medium I thought that I could go towards good results.

My biggest target is to sit for the A/Ls through the Bio-science stream and become a doctor. From the time I was a success at the scholarship exam, my hope was to become a doctor.

 
Ravin Lasindu Tennakoon from Colombo Ananda College who achieved Third Place.

Student Lasindu Tennakoon a prefect of Colombo Ananda College who came Third at the O/L exam in Sri Lanka, devoted himself to his studies and faced the exam in a casual manner. He thanked Ananda College for having directed him towards this victory and also his parents profusely for motivating him to achieve these results.

Ravin Lasindu who showed his prowess in school-studies as well as extra-curricular activities has come to Ananda College from Colombo Mahanama College after getting through the Year 5 scholarship exam with 179 marks.

It is c special feature that Ravindu who shows skills in activities such as swimming and chess happens to be the first in class every year.

He speaks of the Principal of Ananda, Mr. Kithsiri Liyanagamage as well as the subject-teacher and class teacher with respect. This is what he has to say: "I thank my mother, father and only elder brother who encouraged me by keeping up in the nights with me".

Student Ravindu is hoping to do his A/Ls in Bio-science and as much as at home and school he takes leadership in public activities in the village as well. It was Ravindu's mother Mrs. Mangalika Tennakoon who told us that he functions as he President of a society for children in Delkanda, Nugegoda where he lives. Student Ravindu who possesses a knowledge of languages such as English, Japanese, German and Tamil is a student who has brought honour to the school at debating competitions too.

"my son maintains cordial relationships with everybody ... receives education at Nugegoda Siridhammarama Daham Pasela. He is ca child who thinks on his own and attends to things," says Mrs.Mangalika.

"What I tell nangila, mallila in this country is, instead of studying hard when the exam is drawing close ... the interest taken by me in each subject ... daily," adds Ravindu.

 
Kalindu Chethika Wickramasingha of Colombo Royal College who achieved Fourth Place.

In his own words: "I am very happy about the position I attained at the O/L exam .... but I didn't think that I would get such a place. But I hoped that I'd get a normal result. I first of all thank my parents about this success. I thank very much the Principal inclusive of the staff of teachers and all relevant in the school for having prepared a fine educational environment and an opportunity for us to be successful at the exam.

What I tell nangila, mallila who look forward to a success like this is not to exert a big pressure at the exam and that good victories can be collected by one's life by attending to one's daily activities in a casual and simple manner. I wasn't stuck to school books as such. By way of extra-curricular activities I have engaged myself in cricket ... I have worked as a scout. I loved English poems, songs, short stories under the subject of English Literature very much. During my free time had made it a habit to listen to songs.

I even attended extra classes for the subjects of English and Science, English Literature, IT. Actually, though I didn't work according to a time-table, I attended to my studies whenever it was possible. Other than educational work done in school, I didn't devote a large period of time for my studies at home as such. But I believe that I got this result as a consequence of understanding well by listening to what was old.

I have an intention of doing my A/Ls by following the Bio-science stream".


Roshana Tharindi of Galle Southlands Balika Vidyalaya who achieved Fourth Place.

These are her comments on her achievement: "When I came to know that I was placed 4th in the whole of Sri Lanka ... I couldn't believe that result. I knew that I'd pass the exam ... but didn't expect a result like this". Student D.H. Roshana Thirindi of Galle Southlands Vidyalaya was placed in 4th position at the O/L exam in the whole of Sri Lanka.

Expressing ideas about this success, she had this also to say: "The Principal of our school, Mrs. Shanthi Seneviratna spoke to me over the phone and said, "You have passed the exam with flying colors" and requested me to to come to school to go to Temple Trees. Actually, I am really happy about these results". I faced the exam in a casual manner. I worked with a target in view. I have the strength to take up both victory and defeat as well.

I got 185 marks and passed the ear 5 scholarship exam. I also did external work in school. I was successful at a number of international art exhibitions. I have even won chess competitions at national level. I also was a prefect o the school. At this moment I remember my parents, my two younger sisters, Mrs. Shanthi Senviratna, Principal of my school and all members of the staff, with respect".

Tharindi has passed the exam by securing 'A' passes in all 9 subjects. Apart from the 6 main subjects she has studied subjects like English Literature, Tamil and IT. Tharindi's father Susil Prema is a Nursing Officer at Karapitiya Teaching Hospital while her mother K.P.L. Maduka Nirosha too is employed at the same hospital. "Tharindi is a skilled student in school.She has also engaged in external work in school. Actually she has brought glory to the school. I wish her good luck" said Principal Colonel Mrs.Shanthi Seneviratna.

 
Dilini Indunil Fonseka of Colombo Vishaka Vidyalaya who achieved 4th Place.

Dilini said, "As much as Vishaka Vidyalaya, I should make mention of Gampaha, Sirikurusa Vidyalaya with respect for having been behind my success". She also made the following comments about her achievement. "I thank each and everyone who helped me to make my studies a success after passing my school exam at Gampaha Sirikurusa Vidyalaya and later entering Vishaka Vidyalaya.

While following my education in school I also attended extra class. I went for extra classes in English as well as English Literate and the subject of Sinhala. I can say that I achieved this success both from the knowledge I gained in school as ell as extra classes.

I kept myself somewhat away from extra-curricular activities. That was because of my exam. Whatever it is, I joined some societies in school and engaged in such activities.

In this case I didn't exert myself more for this exam a such.I faced the exam casually. Without postponing my daily studies I attended to them. I studied in a proper way.

In the same way I often read books ... I read weekly newspapers. What I tell nangila, mallila after me is to face the exam very casually. Then it is possible to get high results.

Dilini Indunil Fonseka's father Mr. Pushpanath Fonseka works as a Controlling Station Operator of the Ceylon Electricity Board while her mother Mrs. Jayanthi Samarakoon is a housewife.

 
Ratnayaka Mudiyanselage Saumya Kumarihamy Abeyratna of Kandy Mahamaya Vidyalaya who achieved 5th  Place.

Saumya was capable of displaying her skills by coming within the first 10 students of the GCE O/L exam this time.

Saumya who is a resident of No.28, Hikgolla Mawatha, Matale had received hr initial education at Matale Sanghamitta Balika Vidyalaya and after getting 183 marks at the scholarship exam,she joined Kandy Mahamaya Balika Vidyalaya for her higher education.

"I didn't give so much thought and do my /Ls as such. What I did was attend to my daily school-work without postponing them and .... in a systematic way. If I happened to miss something ... it was a habit of mine to finish it off the next day. I also was among the 5 students who were the best from Year 6 upto the O/L class at Mahamaya Vidyalaya.In the same way I was obedient to both my teachers and parents. I showed a great interest in attending school. Teachers in our school took great pains to teach us. It was from the knowledge that I received from school that I was able to achieve this success. I have seen most students tiring themselves a lot in their studies because of the exam they had to face. Because I was attending to my school-work in the usual way, I exerted myself a little extra during the last 3 months. Our Principal also personally showed interest in looking into students who were to sit for the O/L exam. I would bestow my gratitude to the Principal and the staff of teachers and my parents at this moment of my achievement," Saumya told us with a great sense of happiness and pride.

Saumya's father, Mr. Sampath Abeyratna is a businessman in Matale area and her mother is Mrs. Udari Samarakoon. Mrs. Samarakoon was earlier employed at a private firm and after leaving her job is a shadow behind her daughter.

"I am so happy about this achievement that I can't put it into words. In the same way ... as a other I am really proud. When I came to know about this success, the happiness that a mother enjoys cannot be expressed and finished in words. My daughter is someone who studies in a systematic manner. It was not necessary to point a finger and draw her attention to her studies. She possessed the ability to understand something which was right," Saumya's mother told us with tears of happiness in her eyes.

Mrs. I. Withaanachchi, Pincipal of Mahamaya too is overjoyed at the fact that a student of her school achieved this honour. "The achievement of this child is indeed a great honour to both to the school as well as to the area. We were aware that she was one of the most capable children in the school. I should praise the the teachers who took steps to motivate this student along the path to victory by volunteering to impart studies even after their teaching hours in school by making various sacrifices ... having realized her potential," she said.