First ever Logistics and Trade Quiz in Sri Lanka

The first ever Logistics and Trade Quiz organised by the International Quiz Association of Sri Lanka chapter in association with the Sri Lanka Shippers' Council (SLSC) will be held on April 21 at the Hotel Ceylon Intercontinental. The Quiz is endorsed by the Asian Shippers Council is being held to create awareness and interest on the international trade and logistics industry as well as uplift the industry standards.

Vice Chairman SLSC Gehan Kuruppu said that this is a capacity building exercise and is a landmark event since it is being held for the first time. He said that the country has enormous potential to grow as only 46 shipping lines call our country. The sector needs skilled people and therefore building capacity is a must.

Quiz Master Ruwan Senanayake said that already 40 teams have registered and each team will have five members.

He said the Quiz will be conducted in five rounds. The first three rounds will consist of questions in the areas of International trade and Transport while the other two rounds will be in the areas of general knowledge and current affairs.

Dr. P.B. Jayasundara, Secretary to the Treasury will be the chief guest. The organising committee strongly felt that this event should be dedicated to the late Lalith Athulathmudali who contributed immensely to develop the shipping and the international trade environment of Sri Lanka and created the Mahapola Education Scholarship Program for the economically backward student populace of Sri Lanka, which the intellectuals termed as 'Bridging education with Trade'. In 2011, the Quiz organisers hope to add the Presidential Challenge Trophy to its awards.

The winning team will receive Rs. 100,000 prize along with the Lalith Athulahthmudali Memorial Trophy (for Logistics and Trade).

The organisers have developed the Quiz to accommodate different categories of international trade and logistics and will award cash prizes and trophies for the winners. The Quiz would continue on an annual basis. The industry is confident that an event like this would strengthen the outlook of the industry and will create the necessary environment to build professionalism while adding value to all industries and individual companies.

It will also add value to the country as it embarks on its journey to brand itself as the greatest island for the logistics trade in the 21st century.

This program is considered as a continued Professional Development (CPD) programme by international organisations such as the UNCTAD, which closely works with the global shipping and trade community.