Research Press Conference

21st of December 2017 Research Press Conference

John W. Creswell states that, “Research is a process of steps used to collect and analyze information to increase our understanding of a topic or issue”. It consists of three steps: pose a question, collect data to answer the question, and present an answer to the question. The University of Kelaniya with a long tradition of research and innovation places a high regard on excellence in research and supports research of different disciplines. The University also works hard at pushing research boundaries, and takes pride in its achievements and in the application of research knowledge to beneficial outcomes. Accordingly, a Press Conference organised by the Communication & Media Unit of the University of Kelaniya to highlight three outstanding Research conducted by Researchers of Faculties and Institutes of the University of Kelaniaya was successfully held on the 21st of December 2017 at the Government Information Department.

At this conference, three Research conducted by the Researchers of the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Science and the Postgraduate Institute of Archeology were highlighted. It was revealed at the press conference on the national level research carried out by Medical Faculty of the University of Kelaniya on the identification of snakebite risk zones in Sri Lanka. Vidyajothi Professor Janaka de Silva, Senior Professor of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya and Chairman of the National Research Council of Sri Lanka, said that more than 80,000 snakebites have been reported annually in Sri Lanka which is directly affected to the health and the economy of our Country. Within the next two years, it will be possible to produce a suitable antivenin drug for snakebite, the professor further added. Dr. Anuradhani Kasturiratne, Senior Lecturer and Head, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya also commented on this research.

It was also highlighted the research on solar energy, which is jointly carried out by the Department of Physics of the University of Kelaniya and the Solar Energy Solutions Centre. In this research, not only a fan, a radio, a torch which can be recharged by means of a rechargeable solar cell are produced, but also a wheelchair with an emergency SMS service powered by rechargeable solar cell is created. This programme is funded by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Research. Under this project, it is planned to train the younger generation about productive use of free solar energy. Prof. Ruwan Wijesundara of the Department of Physics, Dr. C.A.N. Jayatissa, Dr. (Ms.) Sujeewa De Silva and Dr. Charith Jayathilaka also commented on the Research during this Press conference.

Prof. Raj Somadeva joined the Press Conference to explain about the research on the ‘Prehistoric hunter-gatherers in Transition’, which is conducted by Postgraduate Institute of Archeology, University of Kelaniya together with the National Science Foundation.

This project is carried out in the mountainous hinterland in Sri Lanka, which has revealed evidence showing a techno-cultural transformation of the traditional hunter-gatherers inhibited in that areas, which is, took place in mid Holocene. Intensification of wild plant exploitation and a leap towards symbolism make this transformative dynamism more explicit in the artifacts excavated in four distinct dry tropical cave habitations of the hunter-gatherers. Scientific dates suggest that this event was set in motion in the period between 8000 and 5500 cal. VP. The transformation has mainly occurred in terms of technology, cognition and economy, and the findings of this project will help us to discover the cultural identity of the citizens of this country, he added.

In addition to the above mentioned researchers of the University, Cadre Chair in Medical Micro Biology & Senior Professor N.P. Sunil-Chandra, Chairman of the Research Council of the University of Kelaniya and Prof. Rohana Lakshman Piyadasa, Director of the Communication & Media Unit of the University of Kelaniya also participated in this event.

25th of July 2017 Research Press Conference

Research provides a stage for creativity and innovation in the university system. Research is vital for economic and social development of our nation and it is crucial to the mission of our university. A Press Conference organized by the Communication & Media Unit of the University of Kelaniya to highlight the Research conducted by Researchers of the Faculties and the Institutes of the University of Kelaniaya was successfully held on the 25th of July 2017 at the Government Information Department.

At this conference, three Research conducted by the Researchers of the Faculty of Medicine, Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute and the Faculty of Social Sciences were highlighted. Dr. Menaka Hapugoda and the group of the Molecular Medicine Unit, Faculty of Medicine presented their comprehensive Research on “an operational model to control dengue in Sri Lanka using multiple vector control intervention, new product development and community engagement”.

The study on “anti microbial activity, chemical analysis and clinical efficacy of kshara sutra in the management of fistula in ano” was carried out by Dr. D.L. Jayaratna, and the group of the Department of Microbiology, Department of Chemistry, Gampaha Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute of the University of Kelaniya.

Dr. M.G. Kularatne Senior Lecturer of the Department Economics, the director of the Research Centre for Social Sciences (RCSS) of the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Kelaniya and Dr. Hemantha Premarathne, Senior Lecturer in Economics of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University discussed on “High-tech Japanese Solution (ERS) for Municipal solid waste (MSW) Management in Sri Lanka”.

Present at the Media Conference were Prof. Rohana Luxman Piyadasa, the Director of the Communication and Media Unit of the University of Kelaniya, Cadre Chair and Senior Prof. N.P. Sunil-Chandra, the Chairman of the Research Council of the University of Kelaniya, Prof. Nilmini Silva Gunawardhane of the Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Janitha Liyanage of the Faculty of Science, Dr. Nayana Gunathilake of the Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Ranil Dissanayake of the Faculty of Medicine and the Journalists.

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