The Sri Lankan shipping industry has the capacity to expand and grow into a major international hub facilitating global trade and transportation in line with the government's development of the sector. According to the Sri Lanka Shippers' Council (SLSC), Sri Lanka is still lacking skilled workers in the industry and lags behind regional transport hubs such as Singapore which has 200 shipping lines compared to 40 for Sri Lanka.

The SLSC is embarking on a capacity building programme by holding the first ever logistics and trade quiz in Sri Lanka on April 21, 2010. The programme, designed to build interest and knowledge in international trade and the logistics industry and uplift industry standards, is conducted in association with the International Quiz Association's (IQA) Sri Lanka chapter and endorsed by the Asian Shippers' Council.

The organizers are hoping to give a strong signal to university students and graduates to look into alternative areas of employment as the country moves towards becoming a maritime and aviation hub.
At a press briefing this week, Secretary General of the Asian Shippers' Council and member of the SLSC Event Organizing Committee Rohan Masakorala said the concept to develop enthusiasm among the work force in key economic activities of logistics and trade sectors started in Singapore.

According to the SLSC, over 40 teams consisting of 5 members are registered to participate in the quiz which has attracted prizes and certificates for participants from multiple trades. The Quiz Master of the IQA and member of the SLSC Event Organizing Committee Ruwan Senanayake said the teams comprise of participants in exports, imports, banks, shipping lines, freight forwarding companies as well as six schools and educational institutes.

The winning team will walk away with a Rs.100,000 prize along with the Lalith Athulathmudali Memorial Trophy for Logistics and Trade. The organizing committee said it felt strongly that the first event should be dedicated to the late Mr. Athulathmudali who contributed immensely to the development of shipping and international trade in SrI Lanka.

He also created the Mahapola Education Scholarship Programme for the poorer population of the country. Treasury Secretary P.B. Jayasundera will be the chief guest at the event. Mr. Senanayake said the quiz will consist of 5 rounds. The questions will focus on trade and transport, international trade, logistics and current affairs.