The outreach activity conducted at a school: Medically important common ant species in Sri Lanka
The Regional Centre for Asian Ant Research, University of Kelaniya conducted an awareness programme on “Medically important ant species in Sri Lanka that cause health hazards” (in Sinhala language) at President’s College, Minuwangoda on 28 June, 2019, with the permission of the Principal. Students in Biological Science Stream attended the programme. A lecture by Prof. Dias during 8.30 – 9.30 a.m. followed by a quiz showed that the participants were attentive enough to become aware of those ant species. Leaflets (Fig. 1) on the subject that had information in Sinhala language were also distributed.
Demonstration of each medically important ant species using a Low Power Stereomicroscope was of very much interest to the students. Finally, the principal, Mr. P. T. Padmasiri, delivered a speech and distributed the gift packs to three winners of the quiz.
Acknowledgements:
- Financial assistance provided by University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
- Volunteers, Ms. W. D. S. Rasanjalee, Mr. S. Madhusanka and Mr. P. Dushshantha