Kalakeerthi Dr. Edwin Ariyadasa, the Quiz Master of the Tokyo Cement All Island Schools Quiz 2014 (season two) in his address at the Colombo District preliminary round stated, “Knowledge and wisdom have been a significant part of Sri Lanka’s culture and history for centuries. Sri Lanka’s first quiz took place during the reign of, King Devanampiyatissa. It is believed that Arahat Mihinda, the son of Emperor Asoka, asked the king a series of questions, which he answered brilliantly. Arahat Mihinda found the king to be exceptionally intelligent and decided that the ruler was blessed with wisdom that would usher in an era of peace and prosperity for Sri Lanka. This was the first-ever test of intelligence held in Sri Lanka’s recorded history and it transformed the country profoundly.”
Now, twenty-four centuries later, the country’s leading “knowledge competition” for schools, widely known as the Tokyo Cement All Island Quiz, is being held with the foremost intention of expanding the intelligence and the wisdom of the school children of Sri Lanka.Tokyo Cementfirst commenced the quiz in 2013 and since then it has increased the alertness and knowledge of a vast student population. Tokyo Cement also adds excitement to the quiz by presenting the winning teams with cash awards amounting to Rs. 5.2 million which is the highest sum, by way of prize money which is awarded to any school competition in Sri Lanka.The outstanding achievement of the Tokyo Cement Quiz Programme is that it has generated keen interest among many schoolchildren who are on a quest for knowledge. The quiz brings children together, enables them to work in groups and conduct research pertaining to various fields of knowledge. The quiz has catapulted to new heights of popularity amongst both children and adults who watch the programme with enthusiasm and deep devotion.
This programme, supported primarily by Tokyo Cement, has given the student community, access to an immense amount of knowledge and the discipline to accept both victory and defeat with a level-head.Tokyo Cement is a vital partner in an unprecedented effort to awaken the nation’s children and instill intelligence and practical wisdom in them.
The Tokyo Cement All Island Schools Quiz 2013 gave school children a tremendous opportunity to develop and advance their knowledge. A total of 526 schools participated in the quiz with over 3,000 children engaging in knowledge driven activities that helped build them into future leaders.
Commenting on the quiz, Dr.Edwin Ariyadasa, stated, “The Tokyo Cement Quiz Programme 2014 takes forward the Wisdom Miracle that began in 2013. The programme is endorsed by the Ministry of Education and is presented by Swarnawahini television with a marked sense of dedication. The Tokyo Cement Quiz Programme gives the children of Sri Lanka a tremendous sense of discovery and exploration that will certainly lead to the emergence of a new generation of youth who will actively promote the country’s development and prosperity.”(SI/KH)
