Category Archives: News & Activities

The Department of Chemistry at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura recently organized an Advanced Level (A/L) teacher training program in response to a request from the Ministry of Education. Held on the 30th of November and 1st of December 2024, this two-day initiative was designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of A/L school teachers in conducting chemical laboratory experiments effectively, with the overarching goal of improving the teaching and learning of chemistry concepts. Practical laboratory experiments are integral to understanding the theoretical concepts of chemistry. By engaging in hands-on activities, students can connect abstract ideas with real-world applications, fostering a deeper appreciation and comprehension of the subject.

The training sessions were conducted by an esteemed panel of resource persons from the Department of Chemistry, including Prof. M. A. B. Prashantha, Dr. Tharindu Senapathi (Physical Chemistry Lab), Dr. Upul Kumarasighe, Dr. Chandima Narangoda (Organic Chemistry Lab), Dr. Asitha Cooray, and Dr. Samindi Jayawickrama (Inorganic Chemistry Lab). The program was coordinated with the Ministry of Education by Dr. Laksiri Weerasighe under the guidance of the Head of the Department, Prof. C. D. Jayaweera, whose leadership was instrumental in ensuring the success of the initiative.

A total of 65 Sinhala medium A/L teachers participated in the program, which featured detailed demonstrations of key experiments in the A/L curriculum. The sessions also included troubleshooting common laboratory issues, maintaining safety standards, and employing modern teaching aids to maximize student engagement.

The Department of Chemistry received overwhelmingly positive feedback from both the participants and the Ministry of Education. The teachers appreciated the high-quality training and expressed their satisfaction with the practical knowledge and innovative techniques they gained. The Ministry of Education has also shown interest in organizing similar training sessions in the future, highlighting the program’s success and its potential to create a lasting impact on chemistry education in Sri Lanka.

We are thrilled to announce that the Chemistry Department has emerged as the champion in the Inter-Department Debate Competition, proudly organized by the English Literary Association of the Faculty of Applied Sciences!

In a gripping final debate on the topic, “Does social media have a positive effect on the public’s understanding of science?”, the Chemistry Department passionately argued as the opposing team, showcasing exceptional critical thinking, persuasive skills, and teamwork to secure victory against the Genetics and Molecular Biology Unit team.

A huge round of applause goes to our incredible team:

Rusith Tharusha Sathsara Senadheera (Team Leader)
N.H.A. Darshitha Dilshan
W.M. Keshala Nimashi Gunarathna
M.S.N. Aaysha

Your dedication and hard work have brought immense pride to the Chemistry Department.

The Chemical Society of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura hosted an energizing talk titled “Introduction to Chemical Enhanced Oil Recovery” on 28^th November 2024. Mrs. Gayani Pinnawala, a phase behavior specialist from Chevron Energy Technology Corporation, Houston, Texas, USA, shared her knowledge of surfactants and the role of surfactants in oil recovery. The head of the department, Prof. Champa Jayaweera, the lecturers, and students of the department of chemistry participated in the event with great enthusiasm. The session was followed by an engaging and dynamic Q&A session.  

The Chemical Society of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura sincerely thanks Mrs. Gayani Pinnawala for sharing her expertise with us and everyone who gathered with us to make this event a huge success!