Institute of Chemistry Ceylon celebrates 80th anniversary

On Jul 7, 2021

The Institute of Chemistry Ceylon celebrated its 80th anniversary recently and marked 50 years of Annual Sessions on June 27.

The Inauguration Ceremony of the 50th Annual Sessions and 80th Anniversary celebrations of the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon via Zoom, with a limited physical participation at the Adamantane House, of the members of the head table, four awardees and two technical experts.

Prof. Kapila C. K. Perera, the Secretary to the Ministry of Education, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and the Presidential address was delivered by Prof. Sagarika Ekanayake on the theme “Sustainable Development through Chemical Sciences”.

One of the main highlights of the event was the launching of the book, “Our Voyage through the Years”, which showcases the history of eighty glorious years of the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon. This was also followed by an awards ceremony, where Dr. C L de Silva Gold Medal Award was bestowed upon Prof. Lalith Jayasinghe, who also delivered a lecture titled “Search for Bioactive Compounds from Sri Lankan Medicinal Plants and Endophytic Fungi”.

Professor M.U.S. Sultanbawa Award for Research in Chemistry was awarded to Prof. Pamoda B. Ratnaweera, while Dr. Sameera R. Gunatilake won the first ever CCS Research Award. In addition, K.R. Dayananda and M.R.M. Haniffa were honored with Distinguished Service Awards, and W.R.R. Perera was duly recognized with a Long Service Award. Recipients of scholarships, prizes and awards of the BSc Hons in Chemical Science and Graduateship in Chemistry programmes were also felicitated, along with the winners of the National Chemistry Olympiad Competition.

The technical sessions comprising of research presented by undergraduates and members of IChemC was held on June 29, alongside the first ever “CCS Alumni Post Graduate Symposia”, which was held in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Annual Sessions of the Institute. Over 25 selected papers were presented during the sessions.

A session dedicated to the Women Chemists Committee was also held on the same day with the participation of eminent female figures representing the chemical sciences.

The session was centered on the theme “Gender Equity and Women Empowerment” and included talks by Dr. Vicki Gardiner (President of Commonwealth Chemistry), Dr. Irosha Nawarathne Associate Professor in Chemistry, Lyon College, Arkansas, USA, Prof. Ayanthi N. Navaratne Senior Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Peradeniya and Chamari Wickramathilake Head of Exports and Regulatory Affairs, Link Naturals.

The induction of the 84th President, Professor Srianthie Deraniyagala of the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon will be held on June 30 at the Adamantane House, Rajagiriya.