The heart of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura beat louder than ever this year, not with music or dance, but with voices. Voices that carried strength, grace, and passion. Allusion’25, organized by the Announcing Division of J’PURA VOICE in proud collaboration with Sirasa TV, was not just a competition. It was a journey of dreams, courage, and the beauty of words brought to life.

Allusion’25 continued its legacy as a trilingual celebration, welcoming voices in Sinhala, Tamil,
and English; a tradition carried forward from previous editions. Open to both schools and
universities across Sri Lanka, the event emphasized teamwork and partnership, inviting only duos to take the stage. Every performance was a testament to collaboration, synergy, and shared
creativity

From its very inception, Allusion has been more than a stage. It is a platform for young voices to grow, transform, and inspire. In 2025, this vision reached new heights as the project partnered with one of Sri Lanka’s media giants, giving participants the thrill of national exposure.

The journey began months earlier, in April, when a spirited project committee came together. What started as a team soon grew into a family; a family that worked through sleepless nights, doubts, and challenges, but never gave up. Their dedication laid the foundation of Allusion’25.

Applications flooded in, each duo bringing a story, a dream, and a spark. The competition unfolded across three segments: Documentary Reading, Live Reporting, and Programming Presenting, where each duo showcased their talent, teamwork, and stage presence. From the first round of video submissions, 10 duos were selected from each category; English-School, English University, Sinhala-School, Sinhala-University, Tamil-School, and Tamil-University; making a total of 60 duos advancing to the next stage. As the rounds progressed, the field was further narrowed, with 3 duos from each category moving on to the semi-finals, totaling 18 duos, where performances grew sharper, storytelling deeper, and the anticipation greater.

Then came the finale on 2nd of August. The university premises transformed into a stage where the best duos, the brightest talents, and the boldest voices stood in the spotlight. Judged by a starstudded panel, each performance transcended announcing; it became storytelling, presence, and courage turned into art.

July brought the semi-finals; not just another round, but a glimpse into the future of announcing in Sri Lanka. For contestants, it was more than competition; it was opportunity. They toured Stein Studios and MTV/MBC Head Office, walking through spaces where legends of broadcasting made history, guided by professionals from Sirasa TV, Shakthi TV, and TV1. For many, it was the first time they saw the magic behind the screen come alive.

The applause, the energy, the intensity of competition; it all led to the grand awards ceremony at Sumangala Auditorium. Here, the best duo from each category was crowned, alongside the most popular duo from the university level and school level, and the individual awards for Best Documentary Reader, Best Live Reporter, and Best Programming Presenter were also presented. Every participant carried home something far greater; the pride in being part of something historic, a chapter in the story of young voices shaping the future.

Behind every performance, a silent strength kept Allusion alive; the committee, the crews, the finance team who made dreams affordable, the HR team ensuring smooth flow, the marketing and designing minds crafting Allusion’s identity, and the event team making every moment flawless. Guiding them all was the chairperson, Dushan Aluvihare, a constant guiding light, along with the divisional head, Kaveesha Gallage, executive board representatives, driving forces, and past alumni of J’PURA VOICE. Their support, encouragement, and expertise made this event possible. Allusion’25 was nothing without them; their dedication was the heartbeat behind every spotlight, every performance, and every triumph.

It was more than an event. It was a trilingual, duo focused celebration of voices. A stage where courage met purpose, creativity met opportunity, and passion became art. When the lights dimmed, what remained was not just a competition, but a legacy. Allusion’25 with Sirasa TV proved that when voices are given a platform, they don’t just speak; they echo across halls, hearts, and the nation.

It was more than an event. It was a trilingual, duo-focused celebration of voices. A stage where courage met purpose, and passion became art.

It was Allusion. And it will be remembered, forever.