The “English for Teens” Tier 1 scholars impressed the audience and judges with their English language proficiency, creativity and confidence through performance of dramas and presentations at John Keells English Day Finals 2026. The event, hosted by John Keells Foundation (JKF) on 3rd September at the Bishop’s College Auditorium in Colombo under the John Keells English Language Scholarship Programme, brought together eight teams comprising 76 students from six Provinces who had been selected from preliminary rounds of the competition engaging 678 out of 742 scholars who completed Tier 1 in 13 districts representing seven Provinces.

The event was graced by Her Worship Ms. Vraie Cally Balthazar, Mayor of Colombo as Chief Guest, with John Keells Group Chairperson Krishan Balendra, Deputy Chairperson Gihan Cooray, Group Head of CSR Carmeline Jayasuriya, and Chairman of the Gateway Group Dr. Harsha Alles in attendance. Senior management and business heads of the John Keells Group together with representatives of JKF’s partners and stakeholders were present to support the students and celebrate their achievements.

Addressing the audience, the Mayor of Colombo, Ms. Balthazar said, “What John Keells Foundation has been doing for over 21 years is tried and tested. It's not only encouraging to see students to develop language skills, but also think creatively. The ability to think creatively, communicate confidently, and own a stage are important skills that help navigate through life. As a city, we're very grateful for the contribution by John Keells. We see this commitment reflected not only in programmes such as this, but also in initiatives like Kala Pola… I have seen first-hand the positive influence that John Keells has had... When we talk about transforming cities and communities, it cannot be done by any one institution alone. Real and lasting change happens when stakeholders come together.”

Carmeline Jayasuriya, Head of CSR of the John Keells Group said, “For John Keells CSR is essentially an investment in our people - equipping children and youth with relevant education and skills to pursue higher learning and careers, providing our communities with knowledge and resources to be more productive, self‑reliant and resilient, and empowering our nation to be inclusive and strong. Through our education focus we strive to create more equitable opportunities for youth from various parts of the country to develop skills that will support them beyond the classroom, helping to bridge the gap between academic learning and sustainable careers. The achievements showcased today are a testament to the hard work of the students, the encouragement of their teachers and families, and the immense potential that can be unlocked when young people are given the opportunity to thrive."

Sharing her experience of the programme, Liswitha Muniswaran, the winner of the Tier 2 speech competition said, “Standing here today, I see far more than just a room of students. I see future leaders, thinkers, and storytellers who are given [the opportunity] to step out their comfort zones and shine. When young people are supported like this, it changes far more than how we speak. It changes how we view our place in the world and be what we dare to achieve in the years ahead.”

Maryam Girls’ College of the Colombo Branch won Best Presentation for their powerful message on ‘The Risk of Rising Drug Abuse’, while Ihala Bulnewa Maha Vidyalaya of the Thambuttegama Branch won the award for Best Drama for their imaginative rendition of the play “Peter and the Wolf”. Thavanayagam Garisanan of the Batticaloa Branch was awarded the Best Performer trophy for his impressive performance as the king in “The Secret Room”.

The John Keells English Language Scholarship Programme (JKELSP) was launched in 2004 with the objective of facilitating equitable opportunities to enhance English language skills together with essential IT and soft skills of school children and youth from disadvantaged backgrounds towards improving pathways for higher learning and sustainable employment. This longstanding and flagship CSR initiative of John Keells Foundation is aligned to its vision of `Empowering the Nation for Tomorrow’. Over the past 21 years, JKELSP has benefited over 23,700 school children and youth through various courses designed to supplement the school curriculum and customised to suit the requirements of the relevant age group. John Keells English Day events are held annually to showcase and celebrate the skills and talents of the `English for Teens’ scholars, enhance self-confidence and promote interaction with students from various parts of the country.

Education, Community & Livelihoods, Social Health & Cohesion, and Biodiversity are the four focus areas of John Keells Foundation - the CSR entity of John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH), the largest conglomerate listed on the CSE in terms of market capitalization operating over 80 companies in 7 diverse industry sectors. With a history of over 150 years, the John Keells Group provides employment to over 18,000 persons and has been ranked as Sri Lanka's 'Most Respected Entity' for the last 21 Years by LMD magazine. It has also been recognised as Sri Lanka's Most Loved Corporate Brand in the LMD Readers' Choice Awards for three consecutive years. Whilst being a full member of the World Economic Forum and a participant of the UN Global Compact, JKH drives its CSR vision of `Empowering the Nation for Tomorrow’ through John Keells Foundation and through the social entrepreneurship initiative, ‘Plasticcycle’, which is a catalyst in significantly reducing plastic pollution in Sri Lanka.

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