H.D. Gunawardena becomes latest contributor to SLINTEC Endowment Trust

From left: Prof. Gehan Amaratunga, CEO Harin de S. Wijeyeratne, H.D. Gunawardena, Prof. Chandra Wickremasinghe and Prof. Veranja Karunaratne

H. Dayananda Gunawardena (HD), B. Sc (Sp Physics), PG Dip. PSA – Eisenhower Fellow of Sri Lanka 1986, has become the latest contributor to the SLINTEC Endowment Trust Fund.

He was the founding Chairman of Prudential Holdings Ltd. (PHL – family holding company – closed operations in 2010) and in Prudential Shipping Lines Ltd. until 30 November 2015. 

Gunawardena, who has been following the progress of the institute, felt that the Endowment scheme was a critical component in providing the necessary support to long-term strategic research at SLINTEC. 

The Brick for Science initiative is aimed at allowing donors with a passion for science and its applications to take part in the SLINTEC Endowment Trust Fund.

The investment income of the Trust is utilised to carry out longer term research in new and exciting areas including for example nano-medicine and natural medicines and more immediate programs such as nanotechnology based water purification. It also supports deserving scientists at the Institute by way of providing scholarships and grants for further studies and training.

Ricky Mendis was the first Platinum sponsor of the SLINTEC Endowment Trust Fund with a contribution of Rs. 25 million and Murtaza Esufally and family were the first Silver sponsors with a contribution of Rs. 5 million in memory of their father Abidhussen Hassanaly Esufally. Nihal Fonseka and Harsha Subasinghe from CodeGen are the other sponsors of the Brick for Science program. The Gold sponsorship is at Rs. 15 million.

Those interested in supporting the Trust can contact SLINTEC CEO Harin de S. Wijeyeratne on 0716219199 or call the Institute on 0114650506.