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Institute of Chemistry successfully holds first international conference on ‘Frontiers in Chemical Technology’

Professor Janitha Liyanage (Chief Guest, Vice-chairperson of the University Grants Commission) welcomed by a Student of the College of Chemical Sciences
For the past forty years, the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon (IChemC) has dedicated itself to “To uplift the quality of life for a better world through the advancement of chemical sciences”. Going ahead with its vision, the first international conference on “Frontiers in Chemical Technology 2020 (FCT-2020)” was held from 20th to 22nd July, 2020 at the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon, under the constant encouragement of a visionary leader, Professor Priyani Paranagama, who was the Conference Chair and is currently the President of the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon.
Senior Professor Priyani Paranagama (Conference chair and the President of the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon) lighting the oil lamp at the inauguration ceremony
Professor Janitha Liyanage, Vice-Chairperson of the University Grants Commission, graced the event as the Chief Guest. The conference was organized in celebration of the institute’s 79th anniversary and addressed a myriad of topics focusing on Innovations in drug discovery and development, Modern challenges in environmental and green technology, Alternative energy sources for sustainable development, Genomics and metabolomics, Innovative strategies in chemical education, Nanotechnology for sustainable development, Engineering technology in the chemical industry, Electrochemical and sensor technology, Chemical technology in food and agro-industry and Cosmeceutical, nutraceutical, and herbal product industry.
Poster presenter accepting the certificate from N. I. N. S. Nadarasa (Registrar of College of Chemical Sciences)
Frontiers in Chemical Technology 2020 included keynote speakers and plenary speakers who joined the conference virtually from several countries that included the United Kingdom, United States of America, Russia, New Zealand, India, Israel, Bangladesh, Portugal and Nigeria. Other highlights of FCT-2020 were the poster presentation session held on the second day of the conference, and the special technical session held on the third day, dedicated to the Womens’ Chemists Committee of Sri Lanka.
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Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 26 April 2025, valid for 27 April 2025.
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
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Minister of Foreign Affairs pays his last respects to Pope Francis

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath represented Sri Lanka at the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday [26]
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RW to visit CIABOC on Monday

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe will appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) tomorrow (28) over the statement he had made on MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, his lawyers have informed the Commission.
Accordingly, the former President will appear before the commission at 9.30am on Monday.
Wickremesinghe was initially summoned by the Commission to CIABOC on April 17 in relation to a statement he had made about the corruption case filed against NDF (gas cylinder) MP Dassanayake.
In response to the previous summons, Wickremesinghe had indicated that he is prepared to appear before the commission but requested a different date citing that his lawyers will not be available in Colombo during the New Year holiday period.
Accordingly, a new was provided and Wickremesinghe requested to appear before the commission at 09.30 a.m. on Thursday (April 25).On April 7, Wickremesinghe had said that MP Dassanayake withdrew the fixed deposits belonging to the Uva Provincial Council, over which he is now facing corruption charges, in accordance with a circular issued during Wickremesingher’s tenure as Prime Minister.
The former President questioned whether the MP’s arrest over the matter was in response to Dassanayake’s vocal criticism of the government in parliament.
The sitting MP is currently in remand custody for allegedly misappropriating a sum of Rs. 1 million of the Uva Provincial Council in 2016.
He was taken into custody on March 27, over three separate corruption-related cases.
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court previously granted bail in the cases filed against him but he remains in remand custody due to an order issued by the Badulla Magistrate’s Court.
According to the CIABOC, Dassanayake had solicited funds from three state banks, claiming they were intended to provide bags for preschool children in the province.
Two banks complied, granting him Rs. 1 million and Rs. 2.5 million, which were later transferred to his foundation account.
However, when a third bank refused to provide funds, Dassanayake reportedly retaliated by withdrawing the Uva Provincial Council’s fixed deposits from that institution.The CIABOC filed a case against the MP, citing the government incurred a financial loss of Rs. 17.3 million due to his actions.
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