The Sunday Times -

Hundreds of children, their proud parents, well wishers and other prominent guests, were all present at the prize distribution of the Atlas Sithru All Island Art Competition (5) 2006, which was held at the BMICH on Wednesday, August 30, 2006. The paintings done by the winners were on display from 9am to 5pm on the same day and the competition was held under the supervision of the Ministry of Education.

Medals, certificates, cash prizes and gift packs were awarded to the winners. Those awarded First Place at the All Island level were as follows: Group 1 - 2, Thinura Wijeratne (Grade One) of Trinity College, Kandy, the name of his painting was Api pansal yanawa and in Group 3 - 4, Vikum Chandrasekera (Grade 3), a student of Wijeya Vidyalaya, Matale was awarded for his painting Api sellam karanawa.

L. B. Sameera Dilini Prashani from Group 5 - 6, a Grade Six student of St. Sebastian's Girl's School, Kandana was awarded for her painting Sil samadan wuna upasikawo and the painting Sinhala Demala aluth avurudda by S. D. Kaushalya Madushani from Group 7 - 8, a Grade Eight student of Yashodara Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Gampaha.

Apart from the awards at All Island Level, outstanding students were also presented awards at a District basis.

Encouraging the artistic talents of school children throughout the island, was the main aim of Ceylon Pencil Company Limited, in organising such a competition.

The Chief Guest was the Prime Minister's wife Kusum Wickremanayake, the Guests of Honour were Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Minister of Public Administration and Home Affairs and Nirmala Kotelawala, Deputy Minister of Education.

The media sponsors for the event were Wijeya, Wijei, Funday Times and Little Enquirer, the children's newspapers of Wijeya Newspapers Limited and ITN and Lakhanda Radio.