Spark ’18 by Royal College, Colombo a resounding success

Wednesday, 17 October 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Changing the innovation landscape for the betterment of Sri Lanka, Royal College took a giant stride when it hosted Spark ’18, the largest innovation and invention exhibition in Sri Lanka, from 25 to 28 September. With Sri Lanka ranked a mere 88th in the Global Innovation Index, in terms of innovation performance, Royal College saw an opportunity to enhance the country’s innovation capacity by inspiring the younger generation.

With over 700 exhibits on display, the thousands that attended the four-day exhibition were awestricken and amazed by the talent of the school children, who have thought out of the box in coming up with ideas, innovations and inventions to solve many day-to-day problems. Innovations displayed were not limited to those students of Royal College, but also included innovations from children representing schools from across the country, both rural and urban. Spark ‘18 was aptly supported by the Sri Lanka Inventors Commission, the apex body to promote innovativeness amongst Sri Lankans, who got onboard the country’s Top 10 inventions at the exhibition as well.

Complementing the innovation of the young children, the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy, and Sri Lanka Air Force also displayed their innovations as well as research and development initiatives. A key attraction, drawing in a large crowd, was the Future Pavilion powered by Dialog Axiata, the Principal Sponsors of Spark’18, who showcased innovative technologies through their ideamart platform. Inspiring many students to leverage on technology for innovations, Microsoft Sri Lanka conducted a series of seminars for students and teachers during the exhibition.

The exhibition was inaugurated on the first day by Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, alongside Royal College Principal B. A. Abeyrathna, Spark ’18 Project Chairman Rizan Nazeer, and School Development Society Secretary Asanga Peiris. The second day witnessed the distinguished presence of Public Enterprise & Kandy City Development Minister Lakshman Kiriella and Lands and Parliamentary Reforms Minister Gayantha Karunathilaka. The third day of the exhibition was inaugurated by Finance and Mass Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera and State Minister of Finance Eran Wickramaratne, while the fourth day was ceremoniously declared open by City Planning and Water Supply Minister Rauff Hakeem, Local Governments, Provincial Councils and Sports Minister Faiszer Musthapha, and Science, Technology, Research, Skills Development & Vocational Training and Kandyan Heritage Deputy Minister Karunarathna Paranavithana.

Spark ’18 was powered by Dialog Axiata PLC as the Principal Sponsors, along-side Food & Beverage Partner Elephant House, Technological Partner Microsoft Sri Lanka, Banking Partner HNB, Co- Sponsors National Lotteries Board and Development Lotteries Board, Printing Partner Softwave and Creative Partner Xtreme Youth.