"Speak Olympiad 2010", is the Intra University Speech Contest of the University of Moratuwa organized by the Gavel Club of the University, an affiliate of Toastmasters' International. The event has become one of the most anticipated events in the university calendar as it draws participants from all three Faculties of the university, head to head to see who comes out on top as the university's best public speaker. This is the fifth consecutive year that the Gavel Club organizes this event in order to raise awareness among the students on the power of communication and leadership skills and also to find the hidden talents among the university students at a time where they are frowned upon by the general public.

Numerous winners and finalists at the "All Island Inter University Speech Contest" and the "All Island Best Speaker" contests have been proud discoveries of past "Speak Olympiad" contests, and the club is well on its way in producing great public speakers for the years to come.

"Speak Olympiad 2010" ~ Say… What You Need to Say
Forty undergraduates presented their 5 - 7 minute prepared speech at the preliminaries round and twelve talented speakers were selected for the semi finals. They were given the challenge of making an impromptu speech for 1 - 2 ½ minutes, apart from the 5 - 7 minute prepared speech. At the semi finals, the finest five public speakers were chosen by an eminent panel of judges who are actively involved in the Toastmasters' movement after considering both the prepared speech and the impromptu speech delivered by the contestants.

The five finalists, Hasini Viranga Abeywickrama of Computer Science & Engineering, Mohamed Amjath of Transport & Logistics Management, Migara Amithodana of Electronics & Telecommunications Engineering, Pasan Pethiyagode of Electrical Engineering and Shemal Mustapha of Civil Engineering will showcase their oratory skills on October 19 from 4.00pm onwards at the Civil Engineering Auditorium of the University of Moratuwa. They will battle it out for the SPEAK OLYMPIAD CHALLENGE SHIELD in front of dignitaries of the University of Moratuwa, fellow undergraduates and the distinguished panel of judges filled with renowned Toastmasters to follow in the footsteps of previous winners Dulini Yasara Mudunkotuwa, Chamat Arambewela, Nadeesha Perera & Eshan Perera.

Gavel Club of the University of Moratuwa
It is the only movement in the whole University devoted in enhancing and polishing the professional skills of undergraduates by providing a solid background to develop their communication and leadership skills. The club follows the proven methodology of Toastmasters Internationals - USA (TMI) as Gavel Club is an affiliate of TMI and is being perpetually guided by prolific TMI members in the country.
In their pursuit of serving the Club's main objective, "Speak Olympiad 2010" - Intra University Speech Contest Finals for the SPEAK OLYMPIAD CHALLENGE SHIELD is indeed a spectacle of lifetime for all who are involved in it.

Follow as and when the speakers raise their voices on www.speakolympiad2010.blogspot.com and get more details on www.mrt.ac.lk/gavel. It's time to Say... What You Need to Say!

H. Niles Perera, Project Co-Chairperson