The Inaugural Memorial Oration in honor of the late Prof. P.C.B. Fernando was successfully held on January 23, 2025, at the Physics Lecture Theatre, Department of Physics. This event was organized to commemorate the legacy and invaluable contributions of Prof. P.C.B. Fernando, the founding professor of Physics at the department, who served with dedication from 1967 to 1995.

The memorial oration was delivered by Prof. D.A. Tantrigoda, Emeritus Professor of the Department and Chancellor of the Open University of Sri Lanka.

The event was organized by the Physics Society under the guidance of Prof. Shantha Gamage, Head of the Department of Physics, and was attended by a distinguished gathering, including Prof. Upul Subasinghe, Dean of the Faculty; Senior academics and department staff; Faculty members and retired staff; Family members of Prof. P.C.B. Fernando and Past and present students

The Physics Society and its Senior Treasurer, Prof. Duleepa Pitigala, played a pivotal role in organizing this memorable and historic event.

This first oration holds immense significance for the Physics Society, as Prof. P.C.B. Fernando was its first patron. Additionally, Prof. D.A. Tantrigoda served as the first Senior Treasurer, and the current Head of the Department, Prof. Shantha Gamage, was among the inaugural executive committee members when the Physics Society was founded in 1993.

We look forward to continuing this memorial oration annually, featuring eminent scientists in the field of Physics and related sciences. This initiative will not only honor the remarkable contributions of Prof. P.C.B. Fernando but also inspire and guide future generations in their pursuit of scientific excellence.

Highlights from the Memorial Oration are given below.