The Jaffna Medical Association (JMA) successfully organised its inaugural Health Science Quiz Competition on 24 July 2026 at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, bringing together some of the brightest school students from across the Northern Province. This marked the first occasion on which the JMA has conducted a Health Science Quiz for school students, with the objective of promoting scientific knowledge, encouraging academic excellence, and inspiring future generations to pursue careers in the health sciences.
The competition attracted enthusiastic participation from 18 leading schools across the Northern Province, namely MN/Al-Hira M.V., J/Chundikuli Girls’ College, J/Chavakachcheri Ladies’ College, J/Arunodaya College, J/Canagaratnam M.M.V., KN/Paranthan G.T.M.S., Jaffna Hindu College, J/Jaffna Hindu Ladies’ College, J/St. Patrick’s College, J/Vaddu Hindu College, J/Manipay Ladies’ College, J/Manipay St. Anne’s R.C.T.M.S., J/Kaithady Vigneshwara Vidyalayam, J/Vadamaradchy Hindu Girls’ College, J/Vembadi Girls’ High School, J/Holy Family Convent, J/Kokuvil Hindu College, and Jaffna College, Vaddukoddai.
The competition was conducted across four exciting rounds, designed to progressively identify the strongest teams. Following the preliminary round, eight schools advanced to the Super Eight stage, from which the best four teams progressed to the Super Four round. The semi-final stage featured two closely contested match-ups: Jaffna Hindu College against J/St. Patrick’s College, and J/Chundikuli Girls’ College against J/Vadamaradchy Hindu Girls’ College. Following these rounds, Jaffna Hindu College and J/Chundikuli Girls’ College secured their places in the grand final. After an impressive display of scientific knowledge, analytical thinking, and teamwork, Jaffna Hindu College emerged as the Champion of the inaugural Health Science Quiz, with J/Chundikuli Girls’ College finishing as First Runner-up, J/St. Patrick’s College as Second Runner-up, and J/Vadamaradchy Hindu Girls’ College as Third Runner-up.
Individual excellence was also recognised during the prize-giving ceremony. Master Jathunanthanan Sharwin of Jaffna Hindu College received both the Man of the Match and Man of the Series awards for his outstanding performance throughout the competition.
The event was graced by several distinguished guests, including Prof. Mayoorathan, President of the Jaffna Medical Association; Dr. S. Premakrishna; Dr. P. A. D. Coonghe from the Department of Community Medicine; and Mr. Patrick Niranjan, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Northern Province. The competition was successfully coordinated by Dr. K. Guruparan and Prof. B. Balagobi, with valuable contributions from the academic staff and demonstrators of the Faculty of Medicine, whose commitment and teamwork ensured the smooth conduct of the programme.
The inaugural JMA Health Science Quiz was a resounding success, providing an engaging platform for school students to demonstrate their knowledge of health sciences while fostering healthy competition and strengthening the partnership between schools and the Faculty of Medicine. The Jaffna Medical Association looks forward to making this competition an annual event that continues to inspire young minds and promote excellence in science education across the Northern Province.
