Best speaker Magazine Issue 2 - December 2017 | Page 9

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
he year 2017 milestone of Best Speaker journey is the platform created by the
University of Kelaniya Gavel Club to crown the best orator in both prepared and
impromptu speeches for the 13 th consecutive year. With great pleasure I write this
message on this special day for the “Best Speaker” magazine which is another milestone
of the club. This platform is not only for the six finalists, but for all the applicants who
plucked up their utmost courage and took their first step towards becoming the Best
Speaker. Speaking in front of an audience is not an easy task for all of us. It is about
fighting against our demons. Therefore, each participant of Best Speaker is a winner with
a beautiful long journey waiting to be explored.
Out of 250+ applicants, exceptionally talented six finalists from four different
universities got selected to compete for the “Best Speaker” title. Congratulations to the
winners and all the participants of Best Speaker 2017! Continue this journey to achieve
great heights, because this is just another beginning.
Best Speaker contest is not just about public speaking, but also improving leadership Ms. Chamodhi Ravihansi
and communication skills. Since the day the concept for the year 2017 chapter of Best
Speaker was laid, it was all about weaving the story to get the best outcome. All the PRESIDENT
planning of day and night to bring out the perfect contest experience would have been UNIVERSITY OF KELANIYA GAVEL CLUB
an impossible mission to achieve without the support of all the members.
I make this an opportunity to extend my sincere gratitude to the Vice Chancellor
of the University of Kelaniya, Professor D. M. Semasinghe and the Director of the
Career Guidance Unit of the University of Kelaniya, Professor Chamaru De Alwis for
their support in making Best Speaker 2017 a reality. The senior treasurer of the University of Kelaniya Gavel Club, Dr. M.P.
Deeyamulla is always there when we seek for guidance, supporting in each possible way. Thank you sir, for being a father figure
to the Gavel Club members during all these years. I extend heartiest thanks to the nonacademic staff members of the Career
Guidance Unit Ms. Senani Chathurika and Mr. Anura Gunasekara for their abiding support towards all the events organized by
the Gavel Club. Also, this journey might not be possible without the support of our family members who have always been the
pillars of our success.
In Gavel Club, nothing is impossible. We always make sure, no matter how impossible the task seems to be, yet to make
it happen anyhow. It is not about fulfilling individual duties assigned to each of us, but making sure that all the duties are
completed by the correct time. All these works happen to make our dreams a reality, while cracking innocent jokes until tears
fall from our eyes, food vanish before saying “cheese”, sitting on the floor because that’s where our comfort zone is. We achieve
our dreams together because we are a family, “Gavel Family” where we all have found a place for us.
For years to come, long live Gavel!
B
PROJECT CHAIRPERSON’S MESSAGE
est Speaker 2017 is not just another common public speaking contest but the most
prestigious and glamorous speech contest in the country. “Best Speaker” is a name
which is well known among every undergraduate, every school student, every
Gavelier, every Toastmaster and even those in the corporate sector. Therefore, there is
no doubt that this contest will provide an amazing experience full of inspiration that
will make you fall in love with the art of public speaking. It is correct to say that it is the
dream of every undergraduate to perform on this unique stage and showcase their talent
of public speaking skills, leadership skills to the world. This contest brings out the best
in every speaker who takes part, it would change that very individual and instil great
confidence in them. University of Kelaniya Gavel Club has undertaken the tremendous
task of making the event a memorable one for every speaker.
Best Speaker is unique in its own ways, setting it apart from all other public speaking
contests. It sets the standard for public speaking with improved speeches, increased
transparency, and moves a step ahead every year. This legendary contest is the pioneer of
Mr. Thushan Madhushanka
public speaking contests in the university arena with a history of 13 years. This contest
reaches to every university in the country and provides a very valuable opportunity to PROJECT CHAIRPERSON
each and every undergraduate in the community. Best Speaker 2017 is not only about BEST SPEAKER 2017
the finalists or the ultimate winner of the trophy. In fact, it has always been about the UNIVERSITY OF KELANIYA GAVEL CLUB
Speakers who dreams of performing on a stage.
The success that you witness has an untold story behind it. Countless sleepless nights,
brainstorming sessions, and tireless effort is spent with the one goal of making Best
Speaker 2017 stand above the rest. Not only public speakers, but every Gavelier in the Organizing Committee has given it their
all to contribute to the most outstanding speech contest of the year. As the project chairperson I am eternally grateful to have an
amazing and supportive bunch of Gaveliers behind me since day one. This is the Story of each and every one of us. A moment of
a life time. The pride of University of Kelaniya Gavel Club. This is the legendary tale of Best Speaker 2017!
BEST SPEAKER MAGAZINE 2017
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