The awards ceremony of Life English Academy, for their inaugural student batches, was held on Monday, March 28, at the BMICH in Colombo. A capacity audience filled the auditorium, including nearly seven hundred students who were recognised for their achievements at the ceremony.

The EAP Edirisinghe Challenge Trophy for the Most Outstanding Achiever 2010 being presented by the Chairperson of the EAP Edirisinghe Organisation Mrs. Soma Edirisinghe. (Two Students tied for the honour)

The chief guest at the occasion was the Minister of Education, Bandula Gunawardena. Other distinguished guests included the Chairperson of the EAP Edirisinghe conglomerate, Dr. Soma Edirisinghe, Managing Director Mr. Jeewaka Edirisinghe and Board Directors, Mrs. Deepa Edirisinghe, Mr. Nalaka Edirisinghe and Mr. Asanka Edirisinghe.

The ceremony opened very significantly with the welcome address delivered by a student of the Academy, Tharkeshi Dharmaratne. This young student's professional presentation and level of self confidence alone was undeniable evidence of the high calibre of training at the Life English Academy.

The address by the Director and Chief Executive Officer, Ms.Noeline Honter, was presented with the finesse and professional expertise that we associate with this much-awarded, television presenter who is, in addition a British qualified teacher, and speech examiner. The academy is operated under the guidance of Ms. Honter. The chief guest's address was delivered in Sinhala and English with Minister Bandula Gunawardena's usual oratorical skill. He stressed the importance and necessity for English in a climate of accelerated development in Sri Lanka.

The evening focused on the achievements and prowess of the students with another special feature being a choral recitation by over twenty five adult students of Spoken English trained by specialist Speech and Drama trainer, Ms. Tina Fernando. A remarkable quality of this presentation was the fact that Spoken English students, who had no experience in Speech and Drama (elocution) prior to their training at Life English Academy, were capable of successfully stepping up to the challenge of a formal recitation with its specialised requirements.

Nearly seven hundred students received certificates of successful completion of their training programmes at the event. Seventy five students were awarded trophies for achieving top of the class status. Eleven students were presented scholarships with eligibility for complimentary participation in their follow up level of English training at the academy. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of The EAP Edirisinghe Challenge Trophy to the Most Outstanding Achiever by Mrs. Soma Edirisinghe to two students who tied for this exceptional honour. The winners of the Challenge Trophy, A.V. Dinesha Manoji De Silva, and N. C. Kariyawasam, were additionally presented with scholarships and cash awards.