Season 4 of “The Debater with AAT”, an interschool debate program with a twist and away from conventional debating, will start airing on Sirasa TV every Saturday at 6 PM starting from the 15th of April 2023.
“The Debater with AAT” is based on the UK Parliament debate style, and the first ever edition of the program was successfully telecast in 2013, wowing Sri Lankan audiences with the debating skills of Sri Lankan students.
Season 3 of “The Debater with AAT” concluded in 2015 with the Finale based on should the Executive Presidency in Sri Lanka be abolished or not’ and it was a scintillating final between Vishaka Vidyalaya, Colombo and Dharmaraja College, Kandy.
Let’s call this the final battle, and it was Vishaka Vidyalaya, Colombo that stood tall to emerge as the Champions of “The Debater with AAT” Season 3.
“The Debater with AAT” provides a platform for the future generations of Sri Lanka to bring out the best arguments armed with facts to discuss and debate present day issues, and Season 4 will feature 64 schools battle it out for the title.
Any Sinhala language school across Sri Lanka will be able to apply for “The Debater with AAT” Season 4 and following a preliminary round evaluation and assessment, 64 schools were selected. The entire program will feature 34 episodes, including the final.
Popular announcer Sampath Jayasinghe will moderate every session that will be judges by experts from the relevant fields related to the topic provided for each episode.
Program Model:
- Four teams will compete against each other as two teams each for the affirmative team and the opposing team.
- Each team will be composed of two members each.
- The first team in the affirmative team presents arguments in support of the resolution.
- The first team on the opposing team presents arguments opposing the resolution.
- The second team on the affirmative team presents further arguments in support of the
resolution.
- The second team on the opposing team presents further arguments against the
resolution.
(The aforementioned speakers will be decided based on a coupon system)
- Each team will have to prepare on their own, and the judges will decide on the process.
- The two teams that make it through will proceed to the next round.
Round One:
- One member can represent one team.
- This round will include building arguments for and against the motions, and the presentation of resolutions.
- Each team will be given One minute and Thirty seconds.
Round Two:
- Maintain the argument, respond to the arguments put forward by the other three teams and counterarguments.
- Each team will be given Two minutes and Thirty seconds.
- The other three teams will be given Thirty second each to pose questions.
Round Three:
- All four teams must produce one member each for Round Three.
- Questions can be posed directly among the teams.
- Forty Five seconds will be given to pose a question, and One minute and Thirty seconds will be given to respond.
Final Round:
- This round will start with the 4th member to the 1st member of each team.
- Members will be allowed to continue to maintain their position and summarize their facts.
- Each team will be given exactly One minute to speak.
Image caption : Mr. Thisanga Kumarasinghe, CEO AAT Sri Lanka, Mr. Nalin Dhammika de Silva, Chairman AAT Sri Lanka and Mr. Susara Dinal, CEO MTV Channels at “The Debater with AAT” Press Conference held at CMG auditorium on 3rd April 2023.
