The name “Spotlight” has come to be linked with outstanding talent, skill, and lasting musical moments. Spotlight, an initiative by the Sports and Recreational Activities of the Rotaract Club of University of Kelaniya, evolved into much more than just a singing contest. It’s a place where voices are discovered, stars are born, and musical dreams are given wings.
Spotlight 3.0 nurtured the bar even further after the tremendous success of its previous versions, attracting an exceptional collection of talented school students and undergraduates from all over the country. With a three-round format, the competition began with a virtual round and ended with a live showdown that gripped audiences with its genuine artistry.
An Unrivalled Start
The response to Spotlight 3.0 was tremendous. More than 100 prepared candidates entered the Spotlight by sending in impressive videos that proved their vocal talents. Entries were gathered and submitted to a panel of skilled judges from the Western Music Department of University of Kelaniya with the aid of an innovative bot-based system.
Following an in-depth review, eight contestants from the school category and fifteen from the university category representing a variety of institutions were chosen.
Preparing for the Semi-Finals
Selected contestants were invited to a vocal refinement workshop conducted by Visharad Mahesha Sandamali prior to taking the stage in the semi-finals. She guided the semifinalists, assisting them in identifying their areas of strength and enhancing their talents, with her vast expertise of vocal projection, breath control, and performance enhancement.
More than 20 contestants participated in this workshop, which changed many of them by providing valuable knowledge about the technical aspects of professional singing.
The Semi-Finals
The semi-finals, which was held on March 8, 2025, at the Social Sciences Auditorium of University of Kelaniya, were an unforgettable event. The competition featured outstanding performances that left the audience in fascination and it was judged by an elite panel that included Sangeeth Nipun Mr. Darshana Pramod, Mr. Hirunika Rajapaksha, and Ms. Ashalee Weerasena. Ten competitors, five from each category won and qualified for the grand finale.
The Grand Finale: A Magical Evening
The grand finale of Spotlight 3.0 concluded on March 22, 2025, at the esteemed Sri Dharmaloka Hall. The air was heavy with anticipation, the crowd was stimulated and the energy was electric.
The difficult task of selecting the next big stars was taken on by judges Mr. Milinda Thennakoon, Ms. Mahesha Sandamali, and Mr. Hirunika Rajapaksha.
The finalists showcased their versatility across a variety of musical genres with two rounds of soul-stirring performances. Every note brought them one step closer towards victory, and every voice told a tale.
And the winners were…
Under the School Category:
- Winner: Dilmi Chamathka – St. Mary’s College, Veyangoda
- 1st Runner-up: Pasindu Sahan – St. Mary’s National College, Veyangoda
- 2nd Runner-up: Ashan Oshadha – Thurstan College, Colombo
Under the University Category:
- Winner: Rtr. Sandanima Kithwari – Rotaract Club of Panadura
- 1st Runner-up: Nadeeka Kariyawasam – University of Kelaniya
- 2nd Runner-up: Rtr. Sandhara Sithlini De Silva – Rotaract Club of Panadura
Celebrating Passion and Perseverance
Spotlight 3.0 was a celebration of dedication, devotion, and musical genius rather than merely a competition. The massive success of Spotlight 3.0 can be credited to all of the singers who took part, the volunteers who put in endless hours of work and the enthusiastic audience members.
One thing is certain as we predict next year’s edition: the Spotlight will be brighter than ever.
