Category Archives: News and Events

The Department of Polymer Science, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, is pleased to announce that Mr. Mahesh Bandara has been awarded the Best Scientific Paper Award at the 16th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment (ICSBE 2025) and Next-Gen Innovation & Advancement (DIAMOND 75), held in Kandy from 12th to 14th December 2025.
The award was presented in the special session on “Water Treatment Technologies: Sustainable Water and Wastewater Management”, in recognition of the scientific merit, innovation, and practical relevance of his research.
Mr. Bandara’s award-winning research focused on enhancing oil absorption performance through polymer membranes reinforced with vertically aligned carbon nanotubes. The study demonstrates a novel and effective approach to improving membrane efficiency for oil–water separation, contributing significantly to the development of advanced materials for sustainable water and wastewater treatment applications.
This research was carried out under the supervision of Dr. Sulashi Samarasinghe from the Department of Polymer Science and Prof. A. R. Kumarasinghe from the Department of Physics, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
The Department of Polymer Science congratulates Mr. Mahesh Bandara on this outstanding achievement and commends his supervisors for their guidance. This recognition highlights the department’s continued commitment to high-quality research addressing critical environmental and sustainability challenges.

The Department of Polymer Science warmly congratulates Ms. Dhanushka Wijerathna on winning the Best Scientific Paper Award at the 16th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment 2025 and Next-Gen Innovation & Advancement (DIAMOND 75), also known as The Kandy Conference 2025, held on 20th and 21st December 2025.
Ms. Wijerathna received this prestigious award in the special session on “Next-generation Technologies for Sustainable, Resilient, and Smart Food Systems” for her research paper titled “Effect of clove bud and neem leaf extract on low density polyethylene (LDPE) for active antibacterial food packaging material.” Her work highlights the potential of natural plant-based additives in developing sustainable and active food packaging materials, contributing significantly to advancements in polymer-based solutions for food safety and sustainability.
This research was carried out under the supervision of Dr. Sulashi Samarasinghe from the Department of Polymer Science, Faculty of Applied Sciences, and Prof. Lanka Undugoda from the Department of Biosystems Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
The Department proudly acknowledges this achievement and extends its best wishes to Ms. Wijerathna for continued success in her academic and research endeavors.

The Department of Polymer Science at the Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, has proudly secured the gold medal for the second consecutive year at the Inter-university Undergraduate Research Competition in Chemical Sciences 2025. Mr. W.T.D. Kavindu Lochana Prabashwara claimed top honors at the competition organized by the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS) Section E2, competing against representatives from universities across the nation.
SLAAS, the country’s premier scientific organization covering nearly all disciplines, provides an important platform to recognize and promote undergraduate research excellence. The award was presented during the ceremonial inauguration of the 81st Annual Sessions of SLAAS on December 7, 2025, at the BMICH, with the event graced by chief guest Prof. Chrishantha Abeysena, Ministry of Science and Technology, and guest of honour Prof. Raheel Nawaz, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education & Research) at the University of Staffordshire, UK.
Lochana’s award-winning research focuses on developing a cost-effective nanocomposite array using natural rubber and carbon materials for mapping elevated pressure distribution. Conducted under the supervision of Prof. Thusitha Etampawala, Head of the Department of Polymer Science and Director of the Center for Nanocomposite Research, the study has important industrial and automotive applications, where precise pressure mapping enhances quality control, safety, and performance.
This pioneering work represents an interdisciplinary approach, merging materials science with informatics to deliver data-driven solutions for sustainable development. The research also highlights how locally available materials can be transformed into sophisticated technologies that reduce costs and environmental impact.
The department’s consecutive victories reinforce its position as a leading center for polymer science innovation and underscore the potential of Sri Lankan researchers to produce globally competitive scientific solutions.

Pasan Katugampala, an undergraduate of the Faculty of Applied Sciences at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, doing the Polymer Science and Technology, Chemistry, and Physics subject combination, has achieved remarkable recognition at the J’pura Employability Skills Awards (JESA) 2025. Organized by the Career Skills Development Society of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, JESA celebrates students who demonstrate exceptional employability skills across multiple domains.
Pasan was honored as the 2nd Runner Up of the Best Employability Skills Award (BESA) for the Faculty of Applied Sciences, a category sponsored by CIC Holdings PLC. This achievement reflects his strong academic performance, leadership abilities, global exposure, research and innovation aptitude, communication skills, industry readiness, and active participation in sports.
Further highlighting his excellence, Pasan was also selected among the Final 10 in the BESA Inter-University Sri Lanka category, competing against top undergraduates nationwide. Coming from a humble background, this recognition holds profound personal significance for him, reaffirming the value of dedication and perseverance throughout his undergraduate journey.
Pasan extends heartfelt gratitude to the Department of Polymer Science lecturers and mentors for their guidance, support, and encouragement, which have been instrumental in his success.
Award: 2nd Runner Up – Best Employability Skills Award (Faculty of Applied Sciences)
Event: J’pura Employability Skills Awards (JESA) 2025