One of Colombo’s leading schools, Visakha Vidyalaya won the inaugural Business Plan Competition organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka for GCE Advanced Level students from the commerce stream 2015.
The first runner-up was bagged by Royal College while the second runner-up was won by Devi Balika Vidyalaya. The best presenter award was won by Ms. Hashini Silva of St Bridget’s Convent.
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The competition saw the participation of several leading schools in Colombo, including; Ananda College, D. S. Senanayake College, Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Musaeus College, Nalanda College, Royal College, St. Bridget’s Convent and Visakha Vidyalaya.
The business plan competition was organized by CA Sri Lanka with the aim of encouraging students and helping them understand the importance of preparing a business plan which is an important segment of the local GCE Advanced Level syllabus.
Vice President of CA Sri Lanka, Mr. Lasantha Wickremasinghe addressing the awards ceremony said that the competition was an important initiative for students to apply into practice the knowledge gained at the classroom level, while also helping them showcase their presentation skills, which is an important pillar when they become professionals.
He also extended his appreciation to all participating schools. “The response for the inaugural Business Plan Competition for A/L students have been remarkable and very encouraging,” Mr. Wickremasinghe added.
Outlining the objectives of the competition, Ms. Coralie Pietersz, Chairperson of the Urban Schools & Non-Commerce Stream Students Promotions Committee said that the competition was organized based on four specific areas; analytical skills, planning, team work and fun.
“The objective of the competition is based on what we believe and what we value, we value analytical skills, which gives you the ability to think and apply what you have learnt in school and this is what will hold you in good stead when you enter the workforce in the future,” she told the students in her welcome speech.
Emphasizing the second element of planning, she said that planning is an important element as they progress to be professionals. “We all play different roles, your primary role being a student, in addition to being in a sports team or a debate team, you are also a member of a family and it is important to balance these roles and within these roles we have many priorities, and so it’s important to plan and prioritize,” she said.
Ms. Pietersz said that every student was unique and special and possessed a unique skill which was a contributing factor to the team they are part of. “A successful team blends together these contributions bringing success to the team. It’s like a curry, different ingredients blends together to make a perfect curry,” she said.
Speaking on the fourth element of fun, she said that the competition was organized to impart the importance of learning while also bringing in a fun element to it.
Chief Executive Officer of CA Sri Lanka, Mr. Aruna Alwis said that CA Sri Lanka has always been in the forefront in helping develop the knowledge base of Sri Lanka’s student population including those of the GCE Advanced Level stream. “With this objective in mind, we decided to organize the business plan competition targeting A/L students from the commerce stream,” he said.
Mr. Alwis noted that from organizing various seminars to help enhance the knowledge of the A/L students to organizing events such as the Business Plan Competition, every effort will be taken by CA Sri Lanka to ensure the necessary knowledge boost is given to students to help them become better in their studies, as well as better in their professional journey.
