SEC kicks off The Investor 2018 TV quiz show on Rupavahini

As part of its initiative to enhance financial literacy among Advanced Level Commerce and Economics students throughout the country, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) has commenced a television quiz series titled “The Investor 2018” in Sinhala medium, in association with Sri Lanka Rupavahini, every Thursday at 5.30 p.m.

Essential components of securities regulation focuses on ensuring consumer confidence, market stability and investor protection. For this reason, the SEC views investor education to be an important part of its overall investor protection objective.

Prior to the commencement of the television quiz, a preliminary selection examination was conducted simultaneously in all nine provinces, with the assistance of the Provincial Educational Directors and the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE).

All Government schools throughout the country offering Advanced Level Commerce and Economics in the Sinhala medium were invited to nominate one student to take part in the preliminary examination. Question papers were formulated by the SEC, and the answer scripts were corrected in Colombo by the SEC. Thereafter, six students were selected from each Province to take part in the semi-finals of the television quiz. The finals will be conducted among the nine students who emerge winners of each Provincial stage. Veteran presenter Narada Bakmeewewa will host the program.

The winners of the television quiz will be presented with cash awards, trophies and certificates. Accordingly, the winner will receive of Rs. 100,000, the runner up Rs. 75,000 and second runner up Rs. 50,000. The SEC is also expecting to grant scholarships to the 9 students who are placed first in the provincial stage of the quiz to follow the Certificate in Capital Markets program conducted by the SEC.

Educational initiatives like this is expected to improve the financial capacity of the general public and in particular, school students, by providing essential information on various aspects of investing in the capital market and tools needed to make informed financial decisions.

SEC has made every effort to conduct awareness programs in schools and universities throughout the country free of charge as part of its social responsibilities. Recently, the SEC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Education (MOE) to formalise the provision of trilingual financial education among school teachers and students. This TV series is conducted under the guidance of the MOE.