ENGLISH LITERARY ASSOCIATION
What is the ELA?
The English Literary Association (ELA) of Faculty of Medical Sciences was established in 2020. It provides a platform to students to express freely and enhance their English literary abilities accomplishing national and international standards. With frequent activities and achievements, the ELA, has grown into one of the successful associations of our faculty.
It is a free and safe space created by the students for the students to acquire, improve and exercise the knowledge and skill of English language.
Through the ELA, students are given various opportunities to test their English competency such as debating, compeering, public speaking, creative writing and writing reviews on various topics ranging from movies to travel. We also conduct English enhancement sessions centered arounds the newcomers to overcome the language barrier in their personal and professional life. The ELA conducts diverse events, runs a blog and a Facebook page to achieve its mission.
Vision
To improve the English knowledge among the students of our faculty
To provide a platform to exercise and polish the existing skill in the langue through participating in various competitions and other opportunities.
History
The initiative step for this association was taken place as an inauguration ceremony on 30th December 2020. Our honorary Dean Prof. Aloka Pathirana attended the function as chief guest. Ms. Bernadine Jeyasinghe who is a renowned television anchor came as a guest to this function and enlightened the students with a lecture on “The Importance of Leadership and Communication Skills among the Youth.” The first panel of board members were also appointed that day.
The first Board of Officials,
President
Vice President
Secretary
Assistant Secretary
Junior Treasurer
Assistant Junior Treasurer
Co-Editors-in-Chief
Minindu Ekanayake
Avanti Hapugalle
Dulanji Beneragama
Asel Wijesinghe
Dinul Doluweera
Kaveesha Jayawardane
Shangavi Navaretnam
Krishan Dhammearatchi
Committee Members
Athu Fonseka
Devni Silva
Nathasha Sirisena
Manuli de Silva
Sachitra Ratnasooriya
Jemini Wickramanayake
Senara Vidanapathirana
Mirshan Sivakumar
Milcah Wanigaratnam
Naveen Hewage
Senior Treasurer
Dr. Nilanka Perera
ACHIEVEMENTS
Clash of Minds 2024
“Clash of Minds 2024”, the Inter University Debating Competition organized by Japura Voice, the official media and broadcasting unit of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura the team representing the Faculty of Medical Sciences emerged champions winning against Team A of Peradeniya Medical Faculty. The team consisted of Dihan Wijayasinghe (31st batch),Minsandi Fernando (31st batch), Azeer Aslam (31st batch), Ashfaaq Sheriffu (31st batch)
Ashfaaq Sheriffu was awarded “Best point presenter”, Dihan Wijayasinghe was awarded “Best Speaker” while team FMS USJ A were voted in as the most popular team as well!
IMDC 2024
Organized by the ELA for the 2nd consecutive year, brought together over 20 teams from various medical faculties. Team A from Japura comprising of – Dihan Wijayasinghe (31st batch), Minsandi Fernando (31st batch), Azeer Aslam (31st batch), Ashfaaq Sheriffu (31st batch) emerged champions against Team A of Peradeniya Medical Faculty, in the grand finals held in the main auditorium at Colombo South Teaching Hospital.
Ashfaaq Sheriffu won the award of “Best Speaker” at this competition
Kynsey Inter-Varsity Debating Tournament
5 novice Teams from the English Literary Association of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, USJ, participated in the Kynsey Inter-Varsity Debating Tournament, organized by the Medical Students’ Chamber of Debate, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo. Our teams showcased remarkable performance, with two teams advancing to the open semi-finals, a significant achievement in this highly competitive event. Additionally, our novice teams secured 3rd and 4 place in the Novice Championship, further highlighting the strength and potential of our debaters.
Super Nova 2024
“Super Nova 2024”, the Inter University News-reading Competition was organized by Japura Voice, University of Sri Jayewardenepura where the following members emerged as the two finalists representing the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and our from our very own English Literary Association of the Faculty of Medical Sciences: Ashfaaq Sherifu (31st batch) and Minsandi Fernando (31st batch).
Minsandi Fernando emerged champion and Ashfaaq Sherifu emerged 2nd runner up.
BESA – Faculty of Medical Sciences Award & Best Leader Award
Senara Vidanapathirana (29th batch), President of the ELA 2023/2024, clinched the title for “BESA – Faculty of Medical Sciences; Award” and “Best Leader Award” among J’pura University Undergraduates at JESA 2024.
Inter-Batch Scrabble Tournament
The inaugural Inter-batch Scrabble tournament organized by the ELA in collaboration with the Sports Club of our faculty was held on 12th of March 2024 and scrabble was established in faculty for the 1st time.
32nd Batch emerged overall champions and Oneli Perera of the 33rd batch secured the Best Player Award receiving all wins and a total of 1195 points.
We also participated in our first Inter-university Scrabble Encounter, “The spell 2024” organized by the University of Kelaniya, representing FMS, USJ.
Inter Medical Faculty Debating Championship – 2023
“Debate is the engine of intellectual progress. It challenges our assumptions, sharpens our arguments and leads us closer to the truth”
-Michael Sandel-
The English Literary Association (ELA) of Faculty of Medical Sciences, USJ which is a club that has a reputation for debating, took the innovative step of organizing the first ever Inter Medical Faculty Debating Championship (IMDC) encouraging the participation of medical undergraduates around the country.
The tournament was a massive success with participation of 13 teams from medical faculties of various universities. It was held under three rounds as preliminary round, semi-finals and finals. The preliminary round was held via the online platform, zoom and the semi-final and final rounds were held at the faculty premises on 3rd September, 2023 with the honourable presence of Dean, Snr. Prof. Aloka Pathirana and the senior treasurer of ELA, Prof. Varuni Tennakoon along with many other academic professionals and alumni of the faculty.
The competition was judged by many esteemed judges with profound credibility engaged in various fields since the debate was not limited to the medical field. Awards and certificates were presented to the winners following the tournament on the same day.
The ELA is planning to continue IMDC as an annual event, remarking yet another milestone in the history of the club and the tournament will stand as an open platform for medical undergraduates to widen their horizons on logical reasoning and critical thinking.
Clash of Minds 2022
The members of the English Literary Association representing the Faculty of Medical Sciences at USJ, emerged victorious at the “Clash of Minds 2022” the debating competitions organized by J’pura Voice the official media broadcasting unit of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura continuing its winning streak at the Clash of Minds competitions.
Winning the Inter-Faculty Psychiatry Debate 2022
The team comprising of four of the ELA’s best debaters who represented the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the Inter-Medical Faculty Psychiatry Debate 2022 claimed its winning title as the champions at the Annual Academic Sessions 2022 programme organized by The Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists continuing our legacy of medical school debating.
Writers Unleashed Online Literary Writing Competition 2022
The English literary association pioneered the first ever online literary writing competition “Writers Unleashed Online Literary Writing Competition 2022” exclusively for Medical and dental students of Sri Lanka. The competition received recognition from many students from universities island wide and was praised by many for its valiant efforts in establishing a platform filled with opportunity for the writers during the post-COVID-19 pandemic era.
All island Best Gavel Speaker Contest
Mr Ashfaaq Sheriffu an eloquent member of the ELA emerged as Champion at the All-island Best Gavel Speaker contest in the category of Impromptu Speech at the Gavel Conference 2022.
He was also the 1st runner up at Vorbitor’23 organized by the gavel club of University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
J’pura Employability Skills Awards 2022
Two esteemed members of the English Literary Association were able to claim awarding titles at the J’pura Employability Skills Awards (JESA), organized by the Career Skills Development Society, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, on the 27th of September 2022.
Miss Hasarah Dasanayake won the award for the
Best Leader
Miss Senara Vidanapathirana won the award for the
Best Communicator
Debating
Team Accomplishments
“Clash Of Minds 2023” the Local and International Inter-University Debating Competitions organized by “J’pura Voice” of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura our Team A comprised of Dihan Wijayasingha, Misandi Fernando and Azeer Aslam and Ashfaaq Sheriffu, emerged victorious against many teams including the law college team A.
Binura Ariyarathne of the 32nd batch from Team B, securing the “Best Point Breaker” award of the same competition.Ayumi De Silva of the 32nd batch was ranked 12th best speaker in the University speaker rankings at the “Royal Institute Debating Competition 2023”.
“J’pura Voice” Interfaculty Debating Championship 2019 (English Medium)
2nd Runners Up – “Hulftsdorp Debates 2019” Inter University Debating Tournament– Novice Category; organized by the Sri Lanka Law College
2nd Runners Up – Inter-University Debating Championship 2021 organized by the Law Students’ Association of the Royal Institute, Colombo – 21st – 22nd August 2021.
Champions – “CLASH OF MINDS 2022” – the Local and International Inter-University Debating Competitions organized by “J’pura Voice” the Official Broadcasting and Media Unit of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Champions – Annual Inter- medical faculty Psychiatry debate at the Annual Academic Sessions of the Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists
Oratory and Other
- Ashfaaq Sherifu (31st batch) placed 2nd in “All Island Oratorical Competition for Undergraduates” (English Medium) organized by Sri Lanka Association for Animal and Laboratory Sciences
- Amirah Izadeen, Ama Gunasekara and Chethanan Mokan of the 30th batch snatching the 1st runners up title at “Gen-orators ’23” organized by the Rotaract Club of University of Colombo, Faculty of Law.
YouTube Series titled Beyond the White Coat
The English Literary Association of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, USJ, launched an exciting new initiative-our official YouTube series titled Beyond the White Coat. This series aims to provide a platform for exploring the diverse talents, passions, and achievements of individuals in the medical field, beyond their professional commitments. The debut episode, “Beyond the White Coat | Medicine and Beyond – Dinul Doluweera”, featured an inspiring conversation with an alumnus from the 27th Batch, and past board member of the ELA, Dinul Doluweera, highlighting his journey, aspirations, and unique perspective on balancing life inside and outside the medical sphere.
ACTIVITIES
Medical Mayhem: Fright Night at the Faculty
The English Literary Association of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, USJ, in collaboration with the Nature and Photography Club, FMS, USJ, hosted a thrilling Halloween-themed game night that brought the spooky season to life. The event featured an array of exciting activities, including themed games, a custom-made escape room with a medical theme, photobooth, music and immersive Halloween décor, creating a perfect blend of chills and fun. Students embraced the festive spirit with creative costumes and enthusiastic participation, making the night a memorable celebration of camaraderie and entertainment.
Trivia Nights: A Platform for Intellectual Stimulation
The recreational room has served as an ideal venue for hosting trivia nights organized by the English Literary Association. These events have captivated the minds of participants, offering a lively atmosphere where knowledge is put to the test. The room’s multimedia capabilities, particularly the TV screen, have been invaluable in presenting trivia questions, visuals, and multimedia content, making the experience both informative and entertaining.
English Enhancement Sessions: Enhancing Learning through Multimedia
As part of their commitment to enhancing English language skills, the association has conducted English Enhancement Sessions in the recreational room. Here, students have had the opportunity to delve into complex concepts, such as anatomy, through the use of multimedia resources available in the room. The interactive sessions have facilitated a deeper understanding of subjects while fostering a creative and engaging learning environment.
Game Nights: Fostering Camaraderie and Relaxation
Recognizing the importance of fostering social bonds among members, the English Literary Association has organized game nights in the recreational room. The versatile and welcoming ambiance of the room has played a vital role in creating a comfortable space for participants to relax, enjoy friendly competitions, and strengthen interpersonal connections. From classic board games to interactive video games, the recreational room has facilitated memorable and enjoyable experiences for all.
