This is to announce that Rohan Pethiyagoda, one of our Fellows has been awarded the Linnean Medal, which awarded annually by Council of the Linnean Society of London, to one or two biologists (in any field), as an expression of the Society’s esteem and appreciation for service to science. His citation on the society website […]

LIST OF NOMINEES – Elected New Fellows: 2020/2021

Prof. Asiri S Abeyagunawardena Senior Professor of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya Scientific Discipline:Medical
Prof. Sagarika Ekanayake Senior Professor in Biochemistry, Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura Scientific Discipline:Medical
Prof. G. Neelika Malavige Professor in Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura Scientific Discipline:Medical
Prof. Athula Lokhamaniya Thilak Perera Emeritus Professor, University of Peradeniya Scientific Discipline:Agriculture
Prof. Janaka Bandara Ekanayake Chair Professor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya Scientific Discipline:Engineering
Prof. J. Rohan Lucas Emeritus Professor in Electrical Engineering, University of Moratuwa Scientific Discipline:Earth Sciences
Prof. T. G. Amarasooriya Pitawala Professor in Geology, Department of Geology, University of Peradeniya Scientific Discipline:Earth Sciences
Prof. D. M. Deepthi Yakandawala Senior Professor, Department of Botany, University of Peradeniya Scientific Discipline:Life and Earth Sciences
Prof. Priyani A. Paranagama Senior Professor and Chair of Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Kelaniya Scientific Discipline:Chemical Sciences
Prof. Meththika S. Vithanage Professor, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura Scientific Discipline:Chemical Sciences
Prof. I. M. Kamala Liyanage Professor Emeritus, University of Peradeniya Scientific Discipline:Political Science

This webinar will be conducted by the National Academy of Sciences of Sri Lanka (NASSL) under the auspices of the Association of Academies and Societies of Science in Asia (AASSA) and the Inter Academy Partnership (IAP).

Background

Over the past two years, the Covid-19 pandemic not only resulted in thousands of deaths, debilitations, and economic and other losses across the world, but also left a deep and indelible mark on the human psyche and society. A Pew Research Centre survey conducted in 2020 indicated that 44% of people (in the US) felt that it has altered their lives and lifestyle in a significant way. The impact of the pandemic may affect people’s hearts and minds and their very existence for many decades, in a very different post- Covid world.

In this context, we hope, through this webinar, to generate contributions and discussions that are evidence based and, at the same time, focus on long term social impacts (beyond the immediate recovery phase). Post-webinar dissemination will be via conference proceedings and Youtube videos. It is also hoped that a policy statement can be generated about how to address long-term impacts as an outcome of this webinar, based on the consensus reached thereat.

Keynote Speakers

1. Prof. Dominic Abrams, FBA (University of Kent and the British Academy): The Covid decade
2. Prof. Malik Peiris, FRS (University of Hong Kong and NASSL): Global public health
3. Prof. Dame Anne Mills, FRS (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the UK Academy of Medical Sciences): Adaptable, responsive and equitable health systems
4. Prof. Virendra Malhotra (Indian Council of Social Science Research): Social protection
5. Dr. Jim Ackers (UNICEF): Learning transformation for all post-COVID

Dear All

One of our Fellows Vidyajyothi Prof Vajira Dissanayake will be delivering the EM Wijerama Endowment Oration (2021) on Sat 30th October at 6:15 pm (see below for program – actual lecture starts at 7:15 pm).

You can either

1. Register well BEFORE the event at https://bit.ly/3GaMWkz. After registering, a zoom link will be sent to the email you provided in the registration process – this is probably SAFER. OR
2. You MAY be able to use the same link https://bit.ly/3GaMWkz say 15 minutes before the event. At that time you will be asked for your name and email AND taken directly to the event.

Programme