MASTERSPELLER 2k19 powered by Dialog reaches Top 20 from 17,500 contestants

Seated from left: Sahara Faiz (Muslim Ladies’ College – Colombo 04), Danani Perera (Girl’s High School – Kandy), Ransith Clemente (St. Sylvester’s College – Kandy), Anoordeen Fathima Zamrina (President Science College – Puttalam), Luhansa Dehanayake (Girls› High School, Kandy), Dulain  Basnayake (Trinity College – Kandy), Rashmi Nagahapitiya (Girls› High School -  Kandy), Hashen Ferdinand (St. Sebastian›s College – Colombo)

Standing from left: Senaya Viduni Abewardhana (Gothami Balika Vidyalaya, Borella – Colombo 10), Aftha Rahman (Akurana Muslim Balika Maha Vidyalaya – Katugastota), Dananjani Senevirathne (St. Anthony›s Girls› College – Kandy), Vihangi Thanthrige (Sussex College – Galle), Yumna Fauzer (Zahira National College – Gampola), Nipuni Ranasinghe (St. Joseph Girls› College – Kegalle), Kaushalya Basnayake (Mahamaya Girls’ College – Kandy), Samah Nisvar (Zahira College – Mawanella), Azra Naleem (Badi Ud Din Mahmud Girls› College – Kandy), Hanaanee Hana Abdul Haleem (Meera Balika Maha Vidyalaya – Batticaloa Central)

MASTERSPELLER 2k19 – season 2 powered by Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider and organised by Dharmavahini Foundation, has chosen its top 20, from over 17,500 contestants across the island. The family edutainment program is endorsed by the Ministry of Education and initially kicked off its primary rounds in August of 2018. 

The all-island school spelling competition encouraging participants from all provinces and districts of the country is aimed at students between the ages of 14 and 18, facilitating recognition and exposure on a national platform. The competition reached exciting heights through preliminary stages with contestants showcasing their grit and tenacity in order to make it through multiple rounds i.e. top 15,000, 7000, 1000, 500 and 100. The first round of MASTERSPELLER was a dictation round conducted at 25 locations across the country, where 15,000 students were selected in its conclusion. Round two began with 7000 competitors in an oral competition and the same format was practiced for the top 1000, 500 and 100. 

Additionally, MASTERSPELLER goes beyond the standard spelling competition with the inclusion of a rapid-fire round, where contestants are required to spell 25 words within 1 minute, ‘Back to Origin’ where words will be selected based on 6 different language categories, ‘My Favourite Book’ where contestants will be given a random word from 1 of 5 books, ‘Spot the Mistake’ where 1 correct words is given along with 3 wrong words, where the contestant will have to identify the correctly spelt word, ‘We Define You Spell’ where contestants will have to both spell and define the given word, ‘Find the Homonym’ where contestants will have to select the correct word, based on a definition and ‘Classified Pick’ where words will be from 9 varied categories covering culture, currency, social science, medicine and more. 

Further, the program works towards assisting the development of students’ personalities, vocabulary and communication skills, while fostering a sense of unity between participants as they interact with their peers from across the island. 

A spokesperson from Dialog Axiata said, “Dialog has long been a supporter of national level initiatives that aim to uplift, empower and enrich Sri Lankan lives. This is recapitulated by our prolific support of youth and community initiatives. We are proud to power MASTERSPELLER 2k19 in order to provide a platform to showcase and nurture local talent.”

MASTERSPELLER 2k19 powered by Dialog will be broadcast on Dialog Television channels Nenasa 25 at 6.30 p.m and Nenasa 24 at 8.30 p.m every Sunday.