The Annual National Science Foundation Awards Ceremony - 2018 organized by the National Science Foundation functioning under the Ministry of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation was held at the BMICH on 18th December 2019 under the patronage of Hon. Minister of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation Mr. Bandula Gunawardena and the Hon. Minister of State Ministry of Technology and Innovation Mr. Thilanga Sumathipala. The award ceremony is organized annually with the aim of recognizing outstanding researchers who have contributed to the advancement of science in research funded by the National Science Foundation and to motivate research grant recipients to continue to maintain high standards in scientific research.The Annual National Science Foundation Awards Ceremony - 2018 organized by the National Science Foundation functioning under the Ministry of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation was held at the BMICH on 18th December 2019 under the patronage of Hon. Minister of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation Mr. Bandula Gunawardena and the Hon. Minister of State Ministry of Technology and Innovation Mr. Thilanga Sumathipala. The award ceremony is organized annually with the aim of recognizing outstanding researchers who have contributed to the advancement of science in research funded by the National Science Foundation and to motivate research grant recipients to continue to maintain high standards in scientific research.
The awards were presented under four main categories. A total of 26 research projects were awarded under the schemes of National Science Foundation Research Awards, the National Science Foundation Technology Awards, the Young Scientist Award presented by the World Science Academy and the National Science Foundation, and the Support for Research Degree Supervision Scheme. Under the National Science Foundation Research Awards category, five awards were awarded in the fields of Engineering, Health Sciences, Biotechnology, Basic Sciences and Environment and Biodiversity projects funded by the NSF. Achievement award was presented to one of the successful projects under the Technology Awards category to value the contribution of a technology grant recipient in enhancing innovation activities. Dr. Ranil Jayawardena of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo has been conferred with the Young Scientist Award by the World Academy of Sciences and the National Science Foundation for young scientists who have excelled in their fields of research in biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics. Scientists/ Academics who supervise postgraduate students in the fields of science and technology received 12 awards from a panel of supervisors, with the aim of motivating engineers and encouraging universities and research institutes to develop postgraduate research and training facilities.
The keynote address of the award ceremony was 'Profits of Research' delivered by Professor Malik Ranasinghe of the University of Moratuwa. Addressing the gathering Hon. Minister Mr. Bandula Gunawardena said: “The government including the H.E the President is of the opinion that more funds should be allocated for research from GDP. With many experience he believes that the benefits of human resource development will contribute to the development of the country. It is only through new technology, innovation and innovative thinking that the country can be developed and uplifts the lives of people. Therefore, in the short term, the Government will make most out of the resources available to the government, prioritizing the fields of science, technology, innovation and research in future developments. Scientists and researches should work towards the marketing their results. Thereby, we need to focus more on adding value to our resources.”
Addressing the gathering Hon. Minister Mr. Thilanga Sumathipala said: “There is a lack of research attention from the government side in our country. However, for the first time the present government has established a separate Ministry for Technology and Innovation. It was according to the vision of His Excellency the President who is committed to making the country a better and developed country with technology and innovation capacities. He assumed duties as Head of the State for the first time through a non-political intervention. We need to identify the key factors that will help us transform our country into a developed country. The Ministry of Technology and Innovation aims to make maximum use of scientists through a professional approach. We must convince the government to transform this country into a developed country through a technology-based economy.”
Mr. Anura Dissanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation, Mr. Chinthaka S. Lokuhetti, Secretary to the State Ministry of Technology and Innovation, Mrs. Nandanee Samarawickrama, Acting Chairperson of the National Science Foundation, Professor Ananda Jayawardena, Director General of the National Science Foundation and many other distinguished invitees were present.
