The opening ceremony of the new undergraduate research laboratory took place on Friday, the
16 th of December, 2022, with the presence of Senior Prof. Sudantha Liyanage, the Vice-
Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. With the inception of this project by Prof.
Nilwala Kottegoda, the former Head of the Department of Chemistry, followed by the
unwavering support from our Vice-Chancellor, the New Undergraduate Research Laboratory
became a reality that can undoubtedly enhance the undergraduate research experience. The lab
has a student capacity of 50 and is to cater to the undergraduate research students of the
Department of Chemistry. The project coordinator, Dr. Chandima Narangoda, drove this project
towards success with diligence.
The opening ceremony was presided over by Prof. Upul Subasinghe, Dean of the Faculty of
Applied Sciences, Prof. Pradeep Jayaweera, Dean of the Faculty of Aquatic and Bioresources,
Prof. Champa Jayaweera, Head of the Department of Chemistry, Mrs. Yashoba Abeysinghe,
Assistant Registrar, Mrs. Uthpala Dissanayaka, Assistant Bursar, Mr. Asanka Karunaratne,
Works Engineer, lecturers of the Department of Chemistry, its non-academic staff, demonstrators
and the students.
A special thank you goes out to some of the Alumni members of the Department of Chemistry
for their financial assistance for the fundraising project related to this project. Undoubtedly, the
support rendered by the present Head of the Department of Chemistry guided this project
towards succession. The Chemical Society of the Department of Chemistry is kindly
remembered for their assistance in organizing the opening ceremony of this new undergraduate
research laboratory.
Photo Credit: Isuru Dananjana
Written by: Manesha Fernando
