It is with great pride we announce that Mr. Lashan Edirisinghe, a postgraduate (MPhil) student at the Department of Chemistry, the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, has earned two notable accolades. Lashan secured the Second Runner-Up position at the prestigious Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition after two extremely competitive rounds where 80+ postgraduate researchers of leading universities and institutions competed. This was organized by the Sri Lankan Academy of Young Scientists and was held on 10th October 2024 at the Trace City – Colombo. His presentation on “Sigma Receptor Targeting Molecules to BeatCancer” impressed judges for its clarity, impact, and the skill with which he distilled and concentrated his intricate research into just three minutes, showcasing his ability to engage both specialists and a broader audience. The 3MT competition presented an entirely different challenge, communicating the essence of his research in just three minutes. This format required to extract years of research into a concise and compelling narrative, highlighting the broader societal impact of the research work. Achieving Second Runner-Up was an invaluable recognition of Lashan’s ability to communicate research succinctly while maintaining clarity and engagement.
He received the “Best Presenter Award” at the International Conference of Applied and Pure Sciences (ICAPS-2024) organized by the University of Kelaniya, held on the 11th October, 2024 at the Faculty of Science – University of Kelaniya, where he presented his research on “Naphthalene appended diethylenetriamine based ligands and their platinum complexes as cancer theranostic agents”. This recognition highlights his exceptional ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively to an international audience.
Lashan extends his heartfelt gratitude to Professor Theshini Perera; his research supervisor, for her utmost guidance and invaluable advice in achieving glorious achievements like these. Lashan’s achievements reflect the high standards of research excellence fostered within the Department of Chemistry.
We congratulate Lashan on his remarkable achievements and eagerly anticipate his continued contributions to the scientific community. His success is a source of pride for the Department of Chemistry and an inspiring example of excellence in research and communication.