Competition in packaging trade:

‘Lanka Star’ packaging awards on September 2

Tamara NISSANKA

THE SRI LANKA Institute of Packaging (SLIP), in collaboration with the Packaging Development Center will hold the ‘Lanka Star 2007 Excellence in Packaging’ competition.

This will be held on September 2, at the auditorium of the INGRIN Institute of Printing and Graphics.

Chairman, organising committee, Dharmathilaka Ratnayake told Daily News Business that the competition concentrates on stimulating interest and improving packaging standards in Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lanka Packaging Institute which was formed in 1975 hosts this prestigious event since 1976. The national Packaging Center serves as the technical assistance wing for SLIP. Submissions for the competition will be judged by a panel consisting of local as well as foreign experts in the field.

Entries consisting of locally manufactured packaging materials, consumer packages and transport packages will be assessed for complete suitability with regard to the purpose of manufacture, features unique to each packaging solution.

The jury has decided on focusing special attention on products designed with maximum consideration for environmental safety. Therefore, it is definitely a plus point for packages proven to meet basic environmental demands such as; recyclability, bio-degradability, reusability.

The judging criteria also gives emphasis to further aspects such as originality, accessibility and attractiveness in the appearance of finished products.

Entries that best suit these criteria requirements will be awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze Stars.

Lanka Star award holders are eligible to contest for the Asia Star Award and World Star Award competitions. Several Sri Lankans have obtained World Stars at numerous occasions over the decades.

In 2002 the World Student Star Awards competition was initiated to enhance creativity and innovative abilities of the world youth.

Last year, six Sri Lankan entries secured stars at the World Student Star Awards, competing against 63 world wide entries. The second place was won by a student from the University of Moratuwa.

Decisions of the panel of judges will be announced on September 21 at a grand evening organised for Lanka Star 2007 award ceremony at the Hotel Intercontinental Colombo.