News
Empowering Women in Science: SLAAS Women’s Day Celebration
The Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS) hosted an inspiring Women’s Day celebration, emphasising the contributions and challenges of women in science. The event, held in a vibrant and inclusive setting, brought together distinguished female professionals, and aspiring scientists from various institutions, namely: University Grants Commission, Advanced Technological Institute, Ministry of Education, Sri Lanka National Chapter of the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (SLNC-OWSD), Fairway Biotech (Pvt) Ltd, Women in Engineering Institute of electrical and electronic engineering (WIE-IEEE), Iinstitution of Engineers Sri Lanka, Organisation of Professional Associations of Sri Lanka (OPA), The Open University of Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan Academy of Young Scientists (SLAYS), and Sri Lanka Institute of Advanced Technological Education (SLIATE) to foster discussions on gender equality and empowerment in STEM fields .
The gathering was welcomed by Prof. Udeni Nawagamuwa, the General President of SLAAS, who set the stage with insightful remarks on the significance of recognising and supporting women in scientific careers.
A notable highlight of the event was the Keynote Address by Inoka Liyanagama, Director of Customer Interface Transformation at MAS Holdings. Her speech underscored the importance of leadership and innovation, inspiring many young women to strive for excellence in their respective scientific domains.
The event’s central attraction was a Panel Discussion titled Women in Science – Overcoming Challenges and Paving the Path Forward. The panel featured a lineup of distinguished female professionals, including:
· Gayani de Alwis, Chairperson of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Sri Lanka
· Dr. Chandanamali Punchihewa, Founder & Chief Scientist of Gene labs Medical (Pvt) Ltd.
Anuradha Amarakoon, Manager of Process Excellence at MAS Legato Pvt Ltd.
The discussion was moderated by Prof. Ramanee D Wijesekera, Immediate Past General President of SLAAS. Gayani de Alwis emphasised the importance of gender equality in modern economic development and the need for more female representation in decision-making roles. She shared her journey of overcoming industry biases and provided advice on leadership and career progression for young women interested in the field.
Dr. Chandanamali Punchihewa shed light on the role of women in medical research and biotechnology, detailing her experiences in leading Genelabs Medical. She highlighted the importance of fostering innovation, research collaborations, and mentorship opportunities to encourage more women to engage in medical sciences.
Anuradha Amarakoon spoke about process excellence and operational efficiency in corporate environments. She addressed challenges faced by women in achieving leadership positions and stressed the significance of continuous learning, adaptability, and resilience in professional growth.
Following the panel discussion, Dr. Charithri Yapa, Vice Chairperson of IEEE WIE Sri Lanka Section, delivered an inspiring speech, emphasising the need for continued advocacy and support for women in science and technology.
The event was sponsored by Unilever Sri Lanka, Hemas consumer brands, Pure Herb Inventions (pvt) Ltd, Reckitt Benckiser, acknowledging the contributions of organisations that support gender equality initiatives in STEM.
The formal proceedings concluded with a heartfelt Vote of Thanks delivered by Dr. Iresha Attanayake, Joint General Secretary of SLAAS. Her remarks expressed gratitude to the speakers, organisers, and attendees for making the event a success.
The celebration ended on a high note with a Networking session, where participants engaged in meaningful conversations, formed new connections, and shared their aspirations for the future. The SLAAS Women’s Day event not only recognised the incredible achievements of women in science but also served as a platform for knowledge-sharing, mentorship, and empowerment. It reinforced the importance of creating inclusive opportunities and continuing to inspire future generations of women in STEM.
The “Siri Dalada Wandanawa”, the special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic, commenced today (18) with the participation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
The President placed the first floral tribute to the Sacred Tooth Relic after which the public were allowed to pay homage. A large number of devotees from all over the country arrived at the Temple of the Tooth Relic today (18) to pay their homage.
The public will have the opportunity to venerate the Sacred Tooth Relic from 12 noon to 5:00 p.m from tomorrow (19).
Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Hiniduma Sunil Senevi along with other Ministers and Ambassadors and High Commissioners representing Vietnam, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, the Netherlands, India, Myanmar, Palestine, France, New Zealand, Cuba, Egypt, Japan, the United Kingdom, Thailand, Canada and South Korea, Public officials, Members of the security forces and a large number of local and foreign devotees were also present.
… Prez Secretariat faulted for not maintaining asset declaration registry
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has decided against refiling 34 cases that were withdrawn during the 2019-2024 period.
The 34 cases are among 102 cases withdrawn during that period, the CIABOC has disclosed, adding that 65 cases had been refiled. Decisions on three others are pending according to statistics made available on 01 March 2025.
The CIABOC provided a breakdown of the withdrawal of cases: 2019 (5), 2020 (0), 2021 (44), 2022 (49), 2023 (02) and 2024 (2).
The current CIABOC consists of Justice W. M. N. P. Iddawala (Chairman/Commissioner), K. B. Rajapakse (Commissioner) and Chethiya Goonesekera P.C (Commissioner). Its Director General is R. S. A. Dissanayake.
According to the CIABOC the majority of cases were withdrawn due to the absence of the signatures of all commissioners who served during 2019-2024.
Among the cases dropped by the CIABOC were four involving former Cooperatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando. The CIABOC found fault with the Presidential Secretariat (PS) for the collapse of the cases due to the failure on the part of the PS to maintain a proper asset declaration registry at that time. The charge against the then Minister Fernando was the non-disclosure of assets and liabilities during the 2010-2014 period.
Fernando contested the last general election on the SLPP ticket but failed to retain his seat in Kurunegala District.The CIABOC has also decided against refiling the case against MP Rohitha
Abeygunawardena (New Democratic Front/Kalutara District) as the corruption charges pertained to acquisition of illegal assets amounting to Rs. 41.2 mn in 2004 and due to their failure to move court within 20 years.
The CIABOC also disclosed that the case against one-time Chairman of National Lotteries Board A.I. Ismail (2002-2003) charged for wrongful payment of Rs 9.8 mn to a private party had been dropped due to main witnesses former prisons Commissioner G.M.K. Bandara and former Director Public Enterprises K.M. Indrajith having migrated.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The Election Commission yesterday announced a revision to the postal voting schedule for the upcoming Local Government Elections, which are set to take place on May 6.According to the updated timetable, postal voting would now be conducted on April 24, 25, 28, and 29, Election Commission Chairman R.M.A.L. Rathnayake said yesterday.
“All government institutions, including the police, tri-forces, schools, corporations, and statutory
boards, will conduct postal voting on these four days,” Rathnayake said, adding that employees of those institutions can mark their postal ballots at their respective offices without any change to the existing arrangements.
A special postal voting centre will be set up at Kandy Girls’ High School to facilitate voting by police personnel on duty at the Sri Dalada Maligawa during the exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic.
Arrangements have been made for tri-forces personnel to cast their postal votes under the supervision of designated certifying officers at their respective camps during the same four-day period.
In preparation for the elections, official ballot papers for all eligible postal voters across the 339 local government bodies were handed over to the Postal Department by Returning Officers on April 16. Distribution has already begun and will continue until April 29.
The Election Commission advises any postal voter who has not received their ballot by April 29 to make inquiries at their respective post offices.
The revised schedule replaces an earlier announcement made on March 27, which had designated April 22, 23, and 24 for postal voting at district secretariats and election offices, with April 28 and 29 set aside for those unable to vote on the initial dates.
With the latest changes, April 24, 25, 28, and 29 are now the official postal voting dates for the 2025 Local Government Elections.
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