Approximately 40 educational institutions participated in a groundbreaking contest aimed at demonstrating the practical applications of mathematics beyond traditional learning environments.
The Faculty of Humanities and Sciences at SLIIT University organized the SLIIT MathFest 2026, an engaging competition aimed at inspiring school students to enhance their analytical skills, creativity, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork.
This event, managed by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, took place on July 10, 2026, at SLIIT University in Malabe. It attracted participants from around 40 schools, which included national, provincial, private, and international establishments from the Colombo, Gampaha, and Kalutara educational regions.
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MathFest moved beyond standard classroom exercises, pushing students to creatively utilize their mathematical knowledge while navigating time constraints in a competitive setting. The questions were tailored from common curriculum material found in the Ordinary Level Grade 11 and first-year Advanced Level subjects across Sri Lanka’s Local, Cambridge, and Edexcel educational frameworks.
The competition consisted of two phases. The initial phase was a 45-minute computer-based test featuring both multiple-choice and short-answer questions. The top four teams advanced to the final Buzzer Round, where participants showcased their speed, precision, and mathematical reasoning in front of an audience. Questions were available in Sinhala, English, and Tamil in both rounds.
In the final showdown, Ananda College from Colombo 10 clinched the title of overall champion for SLIIT MathFest 2026, with Ave Maria Convent, Negombo finishing as the first runner-up. St. Joseph’s College, Maradana and Asian International School, Colombo secured the second and third runner-up positions, respectively.
Moreover, top-performing schools within each educational zone received recognition based on their performance in the initial round. St. Joseph’s College triumphed in the Colombo Zone, while Ananda College and Asian International School followed in second and third place. In the Gampaha Zone, Ave Maria Convent took first place, with Gateway College, Negombo and OKI International School, Wattala in second and third place, respectively. K/Sri Sumangala College, Panadura led the Kalutara Zone, followed by WP/K/HO Palannoruwa Central College and KL Aluthgamweediya Muslim Girl’s Central College, Dharga Town.
The event was graced by the presence of Chief Guest Mr. Kithsiri Gunasekara, Director of VS Information Systems (Pvt) Ltd, along with notable dignitaries such as Prof. Lakshman Rathnayake, Chancellor and Chairman of SLIIT University; Prof. Rahula Attalage, Pro Vice Chancellor (Academic); Prof. Nimal Rajapakse, Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor and Provost; and Prof. Charitha Jayaruk, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Sciences.
Students enrolled in the BSc Financial Mathematics and Applied Statistics program at SLIIT played a significant role in various aspects of the event, guided by the academic staff from the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
Althia Health University (SLIIT Hemas Allied Health Institute) served as the main sponsor for MathFest 2026, supported by several individual sponsors.
In discussing the principles behind MathFest, the organizers highlighted that “Mathematics is not merely a spectator activity, nor is it just about finding an answer. It’s fundamentally about comprehending why that answer is valid.”
Building on the success of this year’s event, SLIIT University plans to broaden the scope of future MathFest competitions to include participants from additional provinces and districts throughout Sri Lanka. Upcoming contests will continue to focus on innovative mathematical challenges that transcend ordinary calculations, encouraging authentic creative thought among students.
Through initiatives like MathFest, SLIIT University aims to cultivate a deeper interest in mathematics among young learners, promoting the view of mathematics not just as an academic obligation, but as a vital tool for thought, inquiry, and problem-solving.
