All level 3 students hereby informed that honours eligible lists have been fed to the Student Information System (SIS). Please log in to the SIS and apply for honours degrees. The deadline for applying honours degrees is Wednesday the 21st of April 4 p.m. Please pass this message to your batch mates.

Prof. Preethi Udagama, Cadre Chair and Senior Professor, Department of Zoology and Environment Sciences, Faculty Science, University of Colombo, has been effectively collaborating with Prof. Chamindie Punyadeera, Head,  Saliva and Liquid Biopsy Translational Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences of the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Australia on cancer research since 2006. Prof. Chamindie has won an award under the NEW Colombo Plan, an  Australian signature initiative to increase collaboration in the Indo Pacific region (https://www.dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/new-colombo-plan/pages/new-colombo-plan) with Prof. Preethi’s input,  whereas a part of this programme, QUT students will spend up to one year in Prof. Preethi’s Immunology/ Molecular Biology/Cell  Culture Lab complex. This will be a great opportunity to strengthen the research collaboration between these two women scientists, and overall between UOC and QUT.

Every once in a while, new species are being discovered, and when that happens it brings a new perspective to our understanding of the world around us. From small gelatinous blobs in the deep sea to birds soaring high sky, spanning across every habit and niche, these species bring fresh insights to nature and biodiversity. Among those discoveries, the latest addition was the “Hanuman Plover” discovered by a team of researchers at the Faculty of Science, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The discovery was made by the research team led by Dr. Sampath Seneviratne, a senior lecturer from the Department of Zoology and Environment Sciences, University of Colombo, and an undergraduate research student Jude Janitha Niroshan, with the collaboration of Dr. Yang Liu from the School of Ecology, Sun Yat-sen University, China. The Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka (FOGSL), which is also a part of the University of Colombo, and the main funding body, the Palmyrah House Hotel were the key partners of this study.

Jude conducted his final year undergraduate research about a resident breeding population of Kentish Plover, which is a common migratory shorebird species. This breeding population was initially thought to be a subspecies of Kentish Plover. However, upon intensive research including phenotypic and genetic (DNA) analysis, the research team was able to deduce that this breeding population is in fact not a subspecies of Kentish Plover as believed, but a novel species which differs from Kentish Plover in behavior, shape and size, color patterns, and in genetic affinities.

According to the research team, this bird can be observed associated with the arid chain of islands located in Palk Strait from Mannar to Rameswaram (Rama’s Bridge) as well as the South-eastern coast of India, Putlum, Jaffna, and dry lowlands in Hambantota districts. These wetlands have been a critical ecological factor for many birds including shorebirds which are both migrants and breeding in Sri Lanka. Rama’s bridge associated with the breeding ground of this new species also has a cultural and mythological significance tied with Hanuman. So, it wasn’t that surprising to find that the research team decided to name the new species as ‘Hanuman Plover’ to signify the importance of both aesthetic value and the ecological value of the bird’s breeding ground.

Hanuman Plover is a small white-colored bird, the size of a Robin or ‘Polkitchcha’. It has a duller cap and an incomplete eye-lore compared to Kentish Plover. Similar to most of the other shorebirds, it lays eggs on the ground between the waterfront and land. Their eggs are well camouflaged mimicking the color and texture of the ground. A single clutch of eggs takes about three weeks to hatch and the hatchlings are rather quick to go out from the nest and explore the world, than other birds. Even though their eggs are well hidden and inconspicuous, according to the research team, stray dogs have been a serious threat to these cradles in the sand.

The scientific data regarding this new species were presented for the first time in Jude’s dissertation namely ‘The role of genome and phenome in an incipient speciation event of Kentish Plover in Sri Lanka’ for the partial fulfillment of his special degree of Bachelor of Science in Zoology. However, the complete research has yet to be published which is currently being reviewed.

Dr. Seneviratne and the research team announced the discovery of Hanuman Plover to the public in a press conference held at Palmyrah House, Mannar on the 11^th of December, 2020. The scientific name of the new bird would be revealed in near future.

The University of Colombo is proud of the research team it employs including Dr. Sampath Seneviratne and Jude Janitha Niroshan for this amazing discovery and their contribution to the field of science.

Written By: Sandani Liyanage

The Colombo University Faculty of Science Alumni Association – North America (CUFSAA-NA) handed over 12 laptop computers to the Faculty of Science to donate to the students who do not have any device to join with on-line teaching.

These laptop computers were handed over to selected students on 15 th June 2020 at the Dean’s Office of the Faculty of Science with the participation of Dean/Science, Head of Departments, Administrative Officers and Staff of the Faculty.

Congratulations for being selected to the Honours Degrees. Please register for courses through the SiS.

Following vacancies are available for Molecular Biology Biochemistry direct intake students. Interested students who are eligible can apply on or before 4 pm on 07/04/2020. The application procedure will be informed later.

Pharmacy Honours – 2
Computational Chemistry Honours – 1
Nuclear Medical Science Honours – 4
Plant Science Honours – 3
Plant Biotechnology Honours – 2
Bioinformatics Honours – 2
Zoology Special – 3
Immunology and Integrative Molecular Biology Honours – 2

All level 3 students hereby informed that honours eligible lists have been fed to the Student Information System (SIS). Please log in to the SIS and apply for honours degrees. The deadline for applying honours degrees is Saturday the 4th of April 6 p.m. Please pass this message to your batch mates.

All level 3 students hereby informed to finish applying for honours degrees (both research and industry oriented programs) by the 2nd of April 2020. Eligible lists will be available soon and you are expected to apply for the honours degree through the SIS. Please refer the following slideshow produced by the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

All Internet Service Providers (ISPs) of Srl Lanka are providing free access to the University Hosted Web servers (including LMSs). That is, the connectivity to University web servers (including LMS) from your home and mobile Internet will not be counted towards your data packages (will be provided free of charge).

Interviews scheduled to be held during this week have been postponed until further notice due to the prevailing situation in the country. New dates for the interviews will be notified in due course.

Stay safe
Stay calm
Stay healthy

Registrar
University of Colombo
17.03.2020

For the attention of all members of staff of the University of Colombo

Kindly note that the UoC, in concurrence with UGC, requests every member of staff to remain indoors in their own homes and follow the instructions of Ministry of Health meticulously. The declaration of these holidays has been made to ensure we all remain in self-isolation. The channel of communication can be by email and phones.

It is best that all planned meetings and events are postponed until further notice. Other than for essential services, the university premises will remain closed over the next three days.

In the event you develop symptoms and/or believe you have been in contact with a carrier, please go to the closest government hospital and update your status to our central administration (Registrar, Mr. KAS Edward +94 11-255 9906) along with your respective head of institution.

Please be assured that your confidentiality will be maintained at all times.

Additionally, the Bursar and Staff will do their utmost to ensure you get a salary advance on the due date.

Stay safe
Stay calm
Stay healthy

Professor Chandrika N Wijeyarathne
Vice Chancellor
17.03.2020