Postgraduate Research Symposium 2025
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Past Symposium Editions
Postgraduate Research Symposium 2024
THEME: Innovation in Science and Technology for Sustainability
In-line with the Annual Research Symposium 2024 of the University of Colombo, the Postgraduate Technical Sessions of the Faculty of Science was held on 5th November 2024, under the theme ‘Innovation in Science and Technology for Sustainability’, contributing to the University’s sustainability performance, via invited speeches and through communicating research and innovation addressing sustainability challenges. The event also provided a general platform to enhance the visibility of research conducted by the faculty. This year, the Postgraduate Technical Sessions was organized by the Centre for Postgraduate Studies (CPGS), Faculty of Science.
The inauguration of the Postgraduate technical sessions was graced by The Vice Chancellor, Senior Professor (Chair) H. D. Karunaratne as the special guest. Dr. Sepalika Sudasinghe, the Director General of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka, was the invited Keynote Speaker, and shared her thoughts on how the science and technology driven research and innovation play a key role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Another highlight of the inauguration was the session on ‘Machine Learning Strategies for Research Enhancement’ conducted by Dr. Pemantha Lakraj, Dr. Dilanga Siriwardane and Dr. Sameera Viswakula, of the Faculty of Science.
While focusing on research, the faculty aims to produce postgraduates who are globally competitive, effective, and productive individuals, and provides them with opportunities for personal and professional development. The academics and postgraduate students of the faculty continue to generate knowledge in diverse fields of science that is both nationally and globally relevant, and their research leads to a considerable number of publications annually in high-ranking journals and conferences and has also led to many innovations and national as well as international patents. At the Postgraduate Technical Sessions this year, twenty-four research studies were presented under three tracks, Chemistry, Biological Sciences and Physical Sciences & Nuclear Science.
The best presenter of each track was selected by a panel of evaluators and awarded a certificate and a cash award. The best presenters this year were Ms. D. N. A. Arachchi (Track 1 Chemistry; Abstract title: Fabrication of a Chitosan/Alginate/TiO2 Based Carrier System for the Encapsulation of Gibberellic Acid and Investigating Their Release Profiles), Ms. J.W. Gunawardana (Track 2 Biology; Abstract title: Changes in Total Antioxidant Activities of Sri Lankan Rice Oryza sativa L. During Domestic Cooking and Antioxidative Benefits of Rice Consumption in the Daily Diet), and Ms. U. Hisham (Track 3 Physical Sciences & Nuclear Science; Abstract title: Mathematical Modelling of Automatic Tube Current Modulation in Computed Tomography Using a Customised Phantom).
The faculty will continuously contribute to promote national Sustainable Development Goals as well as for the advancement of science, through impactful research, innovation, and dissemination of new knowledge and insights.
Please visit https://www.facebook.com/share/18Dqrj1xHJ/ for highlights of the event.
Prof. H.D. Karunaratne,
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Colombo, addressing the gathering.
Prof. Upul Sonnadara,
Dean of the Faculty of Science, addressing the gathering.
Dr Sepalika Sudasinghe,
Director General, NSF, addressing the gathering.
Ms J W Gunawardana received the award as the best presenter of the track 2 Biology
Ms U Hisham received the award as the best presenter of the Physical Sciences & Nuclear Science- track 3
Ms D N A Arachchi received the award as the best presenter of the Chemistry – track 1
Dr Monika Madhavee – compering the inauguration
Proceedings of the Annual Research Symposium 2024
Postgraduate Research Symposium 2023
THEME: Research Excellence and Beyond
Annual Research Symposium 2023 of the Faculty of Science was successfully held on 3rd November at the faculty premises. It was well attended by more than 100 participants including the Dean, academic and administrative staff of the faculty, and the postgraduate students.
Thirty two research studies were presented under three technical sessions, namely Chemistry, Physical Sciences and Biological Sciences. The best presenter of each technical session was selected and awarded a certificate and a cash award. The best presenters of the three technical sessions are:
- Miss . W. S. N. Alwis – Chemistry Session
- Ms. J. M. V. M. Jayamanne -Physical Science Session
- Dr. P. Ratnayake – Bio Science Session
Prof. Upul Sonnadara,
Dean of the Faculty of Science, addressing the gathering.
Ms. W. S. N. Alwis receiving the award as the best presenter of the Chemistry session.
Ms. J. M. V. M. Jayamanne receiving the award as the best presenter of the Physical Science session.
Dr. P. Ratnayake receiving the award as the best presenter of the Bio Science session.
Proceedings of the Annual Research Symposium 2023
The abstracts were published in the University of Colombo Annual Research Symposium Proceedings 2023. Click here to view
Postgraduate Research Symposium 2022
The Theme for the Technical Sessions of the faculty of Science this year is “Progressive Research in Science for a Sustainable Future”.
The opening talk will be delivered by Prof. SUK Ekeratne, a former Director of the Staff Development Centre, University of Colombo. He is well versed in the fields of both Science and Education.
We have received a total of 33 abstracts cutting across many disciplines of science. The technical sessions will commence at 9 a.m. in the Faculty of Science premises.
Prof. Suki Ekarathne
Theme: ‘Progressive Research in Science for a Sustainable Future’
Date: 17 November 2022
Time: 9 a.m. onwards
Venue: Chemistry Lecture Theater (CLT)
The PG Sessions Committee of the Faculty
| Dr. CD Wijayarathna | Dept. of Chemistry |
| Dr. DR Jayewardene | Dept. of Mathematics |
| Dr. KGSU Ariyawansa | Dept. of Plant Sciences |
| Dr. JMDR Jayasundara | Dept. of Physics |
| Dr. G. Galhena | Dept. of Zoology & Environment Sciences |
| Dr. RV Jayatilake | Dept. of Statistics |
| Dr. J. Jeyasugiththan | Dept. of Nuclear Science |
| Prof. M. R. Wijesinghe | Director, Postgraduate Studies |
The Technical Sessions of the Faculty of Science, organized as part of the Annual Research Symposium of the University of Colombo, was successfully held on the 17 th November 2022, under the theme ‘Progressive Research in Science for a Sustainable Future’. The sessions commenced with the welcome address by the Director Postgraduate Studies, Professor Mayuri Wijesinghe. She said that, since the Faculty of Science focuses heavily on research, many initiatives to improve the quality and quantity of the postgraduate programs have been implemented. This was followed by a talk by Prof. Upul Sonnadara, Dean Faculty of Science. He enlightened the audience on the status of postgraduate programs of the faculty and highlighted some of the achievements of the faculty in terms of research – two academics ranked within the 2% of Scientists of the world, high level of research publications and citations, the patents secured, and the high number of PhD. degrees we produced. He also stated that the Covid Pandemic provided the faculty with a great opportunity to expand our horizons in terms offering postgraduate degrees more effectively and to a wider fraction of the society.
This was then followed by a talk by Professor SUK Ekaratne who spoke on “Approaches that mitigate learning challenges in preparing for progressive science research in higher education’. Being well versed in the fields of Science, Research and Education, he explained how the principles of education could be used for effectively training young research students in the field of science. The session ended with Dr Dilushan Jayasundara proposing the vote of thanks. He invited the participants for tea and a time of fellowship.
The technical sessions commenced after tea, and were held as two parallel sessions (Sessions I & II and Sessions III & IV) at which a total of 32 abstracts from the seven departments were presented. The sessions were well attended and included both academics and postgraduate students. Two presenters, one from each parallel session, was selected for the Best Presenter Award – Sessions I & II – S. Pathmaperuma and Sessions III & IV – TD Gamage, each of whom will be presented with a certificate and a cash award. The sessions ended with lunch.
Postgraduate Research Symposium 2021
Annual Research Symposium Technical Sessions of the Faculty of Science
The Technical Sessions of the Faculty of Science, organized as part of the Annual Research Symposium 2021 of the University of Colombo, was successfully held on 25 th and 26 th November 2021. These sessions were a part of the International Conference on Multidisciplinary Approaches in Science 2021 (ICMAS), held under the theme ‘Basic sciences: Breaking down silos to foster cross- disciplinary research’.
At this session, 37 abstracts were presented by postgraduate students/academic staff of the Faculty of Science. The presentations were held on a virtual platform and drew wide interest from both academic members and postgraduate students.
In keeping with the vision of the Faculty of Science to produce postgraduates that are distinguished by their professionalism, committed to ongoing learning and personal development, confident and adaptable and able to aptly communicate and blend into the wider contexts in which they work, we strive to equip them to be competitive, effective and productive.
As a faculty that focuses heavily on research and innovation, we encourage research dissemination and take initiatives to show case and reward research efforts. The technical sessions of the faculty of science in 2021 focusing on “Research applications of national importance’ was held on the 24th of November 2021 from 1 p.m. onwards. This was conducted as part of the ICMAS sessions.
The presented talks were different from those presented before, in that it targeted a wider audience from educational entities, from industries and also the general public as the presented findings were important in terms of national development.
An interactive discussion was facilitated by an eminent panel of experts including Dr. Ruchira Wijesena a Senior Scientist at the Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC); Dr GAS Premakumara who is the Head of the Dept. of Basic Sciences & Social Science, Faculty of Nursing, University of Colombo; Dr. Chithraka Wickramarachchi a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Statistics, University of Sri Jayewardenepura; Prof. I.G.N. Hewajulige, Additional Director and Research Professor, Research and Development Division at the Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) of Sri Lanka.
A total of 16 interesting talks were presented at these sessions.
- Development of advanced filter materials for water purification
- Development of Kajjali loaded electro spun fibre mats for wound care
- Smart nanofibrous textiles for skin care applications: A solution for cancer and aging
- Conserving our neritic tuna resources for future generations
- Ensuring human health and food security through novel cereal and fruit-based probiotics
- Molecular discovery: Bioactive cyclotides and secondary metabolites from Sri Lankan medicinal plants
- In-silico study on effectiveness of antidiabetic properties of active compounds of bitter gourd and enhancing these properties through processing methods
- Bioactive properties of finger millet varieties cultivated in Sri Lanka
- Novel herbal formulations for rejuvenation and weight loss
- Development of recombinant bacterial strains for effluent metal bioremediation
- Microbe-assisted value addition to Eppawala Rock Phosphate: A possible replacement to TSP
- Achieving the country’s rice production with 50% less urea – through a microbial biofertilizer
- A dynamic model for Load Forecasting: Two level Neuro-Functional Load Forecaster
- A study of employment among Arts Graduates in Sri Lanka
- Risk Assessment Model for deliberate introduction of Invasive Alien Plant species in Sri Lanka
- Mathematical modeling of Dengue Virus dynamics
The synopsis of these talks were published in the ICMAS proceedings.
Proceedings of the Annual Research Symposium 2021
The abstracts were published in the University of Colombo Annual Research Symposium Proceedings 2021. Click here
Postgraduate Research Symposium 2020
Annual Research Symposium Technical Sessions of the Faculty of Science
The technical sessions of the Faculty of Science, which was apart of the 10th Annual Research Symposium of the University of Colombo, was held on the 17th of December 2020. The Faculty of Science, that reaches its centenary milestone in 2021 is in the forefront of Sri Lanka’s Science & Technology research. At any given time, approximately 500 postgraduate students pursue their studies in the Faculty under the guidance of well-qualified academic staff members. The research conducted at the faculty is supported by the Colombo Science and Technology Cell which promotes its commercialization.
This year a total of 36 abstracts from a range of disciplines (Chemistry, Mathematics, Nuclear Science, Physics, Plant Sciences, Statistics and Zoology & Environment Sciences) were presented on a virtual platform which allowed a wider audience to join in and share knowledge and valuable research insights, not-withstanding the restrictions posed by the Covid 19 pandemic.
Annual Research Symposium Technical Sessions of the Faculty of Science
- Physical Sciences Session – M. Iddangoda
- Biological Sciences Session – Sahan Siriwardana
- Chemistry: Session 1 – Hasitha Weeratunga & Shanika Fernando
- Chemistry: Session 2 – Vimarshi Liyanarachchi
The abstracts were published in a proceedings book. Click here
