A special felicitation ceremony for the students of Royal College who represented Sri Lanka at the International Mathematics Olympiad took place on the 21st July at the RCU Skills Centre Auditorium. The ceremony was organized by the Prefects’ Council with the support of the Old Royalists Engineering Professionals’ Association (OREPA). The event was graced with the presence of Dr. Chathura de Silva, Head of the Computer Science and Engineering Department, University of Moratuwa.

The International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) is the largest and most prestigious mathematics competition in the world for high school students. Over 100 countries take part in this competition which takes place annually. Sri Lanka has taken part in the IMO since the year 1995 winning a number of medals. Royalists have constantly received the honour of being selected into the national contingent. It is of special note that the youngest Sri Lankan to win a medal at the competition is a Royalist. Furthermore, last year three out of the six-member national team were selected from Royal College.

In addition to the IMO students from Royal College have recorded numerous achievements at the International World Youth Mathematics Competition (IWYMC), International Mathematics Competition (IMC) and the International Mathematics & Science Olympiad (IMSO).

Speaking at the event, the chief guest Dr. Chathura de Silva spoke of the importance of teaching the practical application of mathematics to students and how, due to the weaknesses in Sri Lanka’s exam-centred education system, competitions such as the IMO play a vital role in doing this.

Senal Santhush, one of the students present, spoke of how taking part in these competitions improve creative thinking and problem solving abilities of the participants. He also mentioned that, though Sri Lanka has seen a commendable improvement in standings at international mathematical competitions, proper training programmes are yet to be initiated in the school system itself.

The vote of thanks was delivered by the Deputy Head Prefect in charge of Academics, Akash Iddawela.

The list of students who were felicitated is as follows:

Shenal Santhush Kotuwewatta

  • Gold Medalist (U15) – IMC 2013, Bulgaria.
  • Bronze Medalist (U17) – IWYMC 2014, South Korea.
  • Bronze Medalist (U20) – IMO 2014, South Africa.
  • Gold Medalist (U17) – IWYMC 2015, China.
  • Participant (U20) – IMO 2015, Thailand.

Ruwimal Yasantha Pathiraja

  • Bronze Medalist (U17) – IWYMC 2013, Bulgaria.
  • Merit Award (U20) – IMO 2013, Colombia.
  • Bronze Medalist (U17) – IWYMC 2014, South Korea.
  • Merit Award (U20) – IMO 2014, South Africa.
  • Merit Award (U17) – IWYMC 2015, China.
  • Merit Award (U20) – IMO 2015, Thailand.

W. M. D. Sandil Ranasinghe

  • Gold Medalist (U15) – IMC 2013, Bulgaria.
  • Merit Award (U17) – IWYMC 2014, South Korea.
  • Bronze Medalist (U17) – IWYMC 2015, China.
  • Participant (U20) – IMO 2015, Thailand.

Maneth Banula Perera

  • Bronze Medalist (U13) – IMSO 2014, Indonesia.
  • Gold Medalist (U13) – IMSO 2015, Thailand.
  • Gold Medalist (U15) – IMC 2015, China.

Ayushka Shashthaka Fonseka

  • Silver Medalist (U15) – IMC 2013, Bulgaria.

W. M. S. A. B. Wickremasingha

  • Silver Medalist (U13) – IMSO 2015, Thailand.

Sithija Abisheka Kotuwewatta

  • Bronze Medalist (U13) – IMSO 2015, Thailand.

W. M. D. Kanchana Ranasinghe

  • Participant (U20) – IMO 2013, Colombia.