The project commencement and tri-partite agreement signing ceremony for the Indo–Sri Lanka Joint Research Programme was held July 1st 2026 in the presence of government representatives from India and Sri Lanka, Vice Chancellors, university academics, and researchers.
Prof. Shantha Gamage, Departemnt of Physics, FAS-USJ is pleased to be one of the Principal Investigators leading the collaborative research project, “Geothermal Energy Exploration in Sri Lanka Using Integrated Geophysical Methods.” Dr. Wasanthi De Silva, Department of Physics, FAS-USJ, is a Co-Investigator of the project.
Out of 442 R&D proposals submitted, only 16 projects were selected for funding.
The third- and fourth-year students of the B.Sc. Honours in Physics degree program of the Department of Physics undertook an educational field visit to the facilities of the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board (SLAB) on 25 June 2026.
The visit provided students with a valuable opportunity to observe the practical applications of nuclear physics and related technologies in real-world settings. Through guided tours and interactive sessions, students gained first-hand exposure to advanced instrumentation, radiation technologies, and the diverse scientific and industrial services provided by SLAB.
The program also highlighted the significant role played by SLAB in supporting research, industry, healthcare, environmental monitoring, and national development through the peaceful use of nuclear science and technology. The visit helped bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical implementation, enabling students to better appreciate the relevance and impact of nuclear physics in modern society.
The Department of Physics extends its sincere appreciation to the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board for facilitating this informative and enriching learning experience for our students.
Physics Unbound 1.0 is an interactive exhibition organized by the Department of Physics, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, showcasing innovative physics experiments, scientific findings/ Research Outcomes, advanced instruments, robotics projects, and educational tools. The exhibition aims to provide a hands-on learning experience, demonstrating how physics principles are applied in modern technology and scientific research. The key objectives are to inspire curiosity, promote understanding of fundamental and applied physics, encourage experimentation, and introduce visitors to practical applications in instrumentation, robotics, and educational technologies. The exhibition is primarily targeted at university undergraduates and school students, offering them an engaging platform to explore physics in action, spark interest in STEM-related fields, and motivate future scientific and technological pursuits.
Date : July 2nd July 16th 2026 at the Department Premises
More than 30 exhibits, Day Sky Observation Camp, WaterBottle Rocket demo, Robotics Challenge, Eye Clinic Camp, Half-Life Crossword puzzel
To make this vision a reality and keep the exhibition accessible to all, we are seeking financial support from visionary partners and sponsors. Your contribution will directly fund:
Student Innovation: Development of undergraduate and postgraduate research exhibits.
Hands-on Learning: Robotics projects, educational tools, and live sky observations.
Community Impact: Hosting a public eye clinic and science outreach programs for schools.
Technical Excellence: Maintenance and display of precision scientific instruments.
Department Development: Upgrade the existing lecture halls and Laborotories for Student centered leaning facilities.
Machine Learning Applications in Physics –A Focus on Material Science
The five-day workshop conducted from 16th to 20th March 2026, under the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) – Physics Without Frontiers (PWF) Sri Lanka program was successfully concluded in collaboration with the Department of Physics, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. The program addressed existing gaps in machine learning (ML) training within the fields of physics and materials science in Sri Lanka. It provided participants with practical ML expertise through a combination of lectures and hands-on sessions, while also fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.
Organizing Team
Project Coordinator: Dr. W. Wasanthi. P. De Silva, Department of Physics, University of Sri Jayewardenepura (Regular Associate ICTP, SLAAS Section E1 President-2022).
Local Coordinators:
Dr. Monika Madhavi, Department of Physics, University of Colombo (Regular Associate ICTP, Section E1 President-2026).
Resource Persons
International Speakers:
Dr. Sasani Jayawardhana, Lecturer, Material Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore.
Dr. Anita Halder, Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, SRM University AP, India.
Local Speakers:
Dr. Dilanga Siriwardane, Department of Physics, University of Colombo (Secretary – GRC SLAAS, Section E1 Member).
Dr. P. A. Palamure, Department of Physics, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
Venue
Department of Physics, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Sponsorships
The International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) sponsored the travel expenses of international speakers up to EUR 2400. All other local expenses were covered by the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS) and the National Academy of Sciences of Sri Lanka (NASSL), together with sponsorship partners, in accordance with their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
