50th All Island Inter School Shakespeare Drama Competition (2025) – St.Joseph’s College wins the Boys Final

Mrs. Thusitha Jayasundera, acclaimed Sri Lankan-born actress and former Inter-School Shakespeare Best Actress (1987 & 1988), graced the event as Chief Guest at the Boys’ Finals of the 50th All Island Inter-School Shakespeare Drama Competition.

Royal College won the 01st Runner-up in the Boys Finals and secured the Thespian Challenge Shield presented by the Ceylon Thespians. Last year’s runner-up came up with a rendition from The Tempest and settled for another runner-up title, their 10th in the history of the competition. Royalists first won a runner-up position behind Thomians in 1976 before going on to win their maiden winners’ trophy in 1982. Royal College has won the Boys Championship five times since the competition began in 1973, and their last winning Shakespeare rendition came in 2013.

Rest of the winners;

Jaffna Hindu College, Jaffna was recognised as Best Novices at the Boys’ Finals, and they received the Colombo Y.M.C.A Challenge Shield presented by Mr. Mallory E. Wijesinghe at the 50th All-Island Inter-School Shakespeare Drama Competition 2025.

 

Semitha De Silva of St. Joseph’s College, Colombo 10, was awarded Best Actor at the Boys’ Finals of the 50th All-Island Inter-School Shakespeare Drama Competition 2025. He received the E.C.B. Wijesinghe Memorial Challenge Cup presented by the family of late Mr. Wijesinghe.

 

St. Thomas’ Catholic International College was recognised for Best Stage Craft at the Boys’ Finals of the 50th All-Island Inter-School Shakespeare Drama Competition 2025. They received the trophy in Memory of the late Mr. Gamini Perera, Stage Manager, presented by his daughter Ms. Varuni and family together with the Colombo Y.M.C.A and the Rotary Club of Colombo North.

 

Daniel Perera of Maris Stella College, Negombo, won the Best Cameo Performance at the Boys’ Finals of the 50th All-Island Inter-School Shakespeare Drama Competition 2025. He received the President’s Counsel Rtn PP Dulip Jayamaha Memorial Challenge Trophy for the Best Cameo Performance presented by Carmenika, Lasika and Priyanti Jayamaha.

 

Nevan Perera of S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, won the Best Villain Role at the Boys’ Finals of the 50th All-Island Inter-School Shakespeare Drama Competition 2025. He received the Rotary Club of Colombo North Challenge Trophy for the Best Portrayal in a Villain Role, presented by Mr. and Mrs. Ariya Wickrema.

 

Heshitha Abeyratne of D. S. Senanayake College, Colombo 7, won the Best Comic Role at the Boys’ Finals of the 50th All-Island Inter-School Shakespeare Drama Competition 2025. He received the Colombo YMCA Challenge Trophy for the Best Portrayal in a Comic Role, presented by Mr. and Mrs. Vijith Peiris.

 

Nawam Jayaratne of St. Thomas’ Catholic International College won the Best Supporting Actor at the Boys’ Finals of the 50th All-Island Inter-School Shakespeare Drama Competition 2025. He received the Rotary Club of Colombo North Challenge Shield presented by Mr. & Mrs Justin Meegoda.