Spotlight on young talent through Siddhalepa Kekulu art competition

From left: Hichemicals Director Chandika Sudirikku, Neth FM COO Nishantha K. Dahanayake, HNB Branch Manager HO Dilanka De Silva, Hettigoda Group MD Asoka Hettigoda, Hettigoda Group Chairman Deshabandu Dr. Victor Hettigoda, Hettigoda Group Director Rupasiri Wickramanayake, ANCL DGM Advertising Waruna Mallwarachchi with the three winners

The top three (from left): A.M. Dishan Thashmila of Little Flowers Preschool, Monaragala, (first runner up), U.G. Esanya Theunuli of Southern Navy Preschool, Galle, winner, and W. Imethma Sethumi Gunarathne of Sachitha Preschool, Kegalle, (second runner up) 

It was their dream come true for three preschool children ‘young kekulus’ when they walked up on stage to receive their awards as the winner, first and second runner up of the Siddhalepa Kekulu Art Competition 2019. 

The three best from over 50,000 entries countrywide were selected by judges, veteran artists Bandula Harischandra and Kusum Mangalika. 

The three winners, overall all island winner U.G. Esanya Theunuli of Southern Navy Preschool, Galle, first runner up, A.M. Dishan Thashmila of Little Flowers Preschool, Monaragala and second runner up, W. Imethma Sethumi Gunarathne of Sachitha Preschool, Kegalle were beaming with smiles, overjoyed with their first taste of success in a national competition. 

It has been a long wait for all the tiny tots for their great day. Entries for the competition opened in August 2019 and closed in October 2019. Top 100 winners, their parents and preschool teachers attended the prize giving ceremony held at J.R. Jayawardene Center, Colombo 07 on 19 December. 

Understanding and accepting the fact that the three best entries for depicting a ‘Rainy Day’ will win and that the judges’ decision is final, the young children enjoyed the anticipation and excitement of the event and applauded the winners with an explosion of clapping.  The competition was open to preschool children in all 25 districts and an overall winner was selected on national basis. All participants received a certificate as an encouragement and recognition of their participation.

The Kekulu Art Competition held for the eighth consecutive year by Siddhalepa, demonstrates a firm commitment to the younger generation to provide a platform for preschool children to express their inherent talents. 

The board members of Hettigoda Industries, headed by Chairman Deshabandu Dr. Victor Hettigoda and MD Asoka Hettigoda participated in the event.  

The competition has attracted sponsorships from top business partners as one of the top national art competitions conducted by a Sri Lankan company for eight consecutive years. The official banking partner this year too was Hatton National Bank. Media partners included official radio partner – Neth FM, Official print media partner – AthuruMithuru, a Lakehouse publication for children. HiChemicals Ltd. and Sarasavi Exports, Pannipitiya were also co-sponsors of the event. 

The all island competition reaching preschools in every district, carries the Siddhalepa message of natural, safe and mild protection and care for infants and young children, through their Kekulu range to all mothers.

The baby soap range with its refreshing fragrances of jasmine, hibiscus, aloevera and aruda and in attractive colours, are mild and safe for infants, and contains additional health benefits to infant skin making this ayurveda range a popular, safe and affordable choice for young mothers. 

The baby colognes with their distinctive range of colours and fragrances compliment the Kekulu soaps. To supplement their signature baby soap range, the Kekulu range also offers an ayurvedic toothpaste which protects and gums and teeth and a baby toothbrush.

The Siddhalepa Group has an 85-year-long history of manufacturing a range of pharmaceutical, and personal care products using the knowledge of ayurveda medicine handed down six generations. Over the years the company has developed state of the art production lines and techniques for their products to meet all quality standard and conform with ISO standards. 

Names of winners:

1. U.G. Esanya Theunuli of Southern Navy Preschool, Galle

2. A.M. Dishan Thashmila of Little Flowers Preschool, Monaragala

3. W. Imethma Sethumi Gunarathne of Sachitha Preschool, Kegalle