First-ever nanotechnology conference kicks off today 

The National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka will host the country’s inaugural nanotechnology conference, which will kick off this morning at the Mount Lavinia Hotel.

Aptly themed ‘Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Sri Lanka: From Science to Commercialisation,’ the two-day conference concludes tomorrow and will feature a line-up of esteemed academics and professionals from various industries who will debate and discuss various aspects of nanotechnology across differing sectors.

This morning’s program will commence with an address from the National Science Foundation Additional Director Anusha Amarasinghe, followed by a brief overview of the National Nanotechnology Initiatives by National Science Foundation Chairperson Prof. Sirimali Fernando.

Dialog Axiata PLC Group Director and CEO Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya will deliver the keynote address and the morning session will conclude with a few remarks from NSF National Committee on Nanotechnology Chairman Prof. Ajith de Alwis.

The rest of the day will consist of several technical sessions covering various aspects of nanotechnology and the industries it encompasses.

A key feature today will be the panel discussion organised by the Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC), which will be held this evening and will feature an expert group of speakers who will highlight a few of the emerging trends, the phenomena fuelling these trends and how research on such activities can be managed within a commercial institution.

Tomorrow’s packed schedule will feature two keynote addresses by Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology’s Prof. Gihan Amarathunga and WSO2 Founder, Chairman and CEO Dr. Sanjiva Weerawarana respectively, followed by several more technical sessions, and will wrap up with a session led by the SLINTEC team.

The National Science Foundation played a critical role in establishing the national nanotechnology initiative and it is expected that the nanotech initiative will support the industry in gaining a competitive edge via innovation and product leadership.

The initiative has resulted in the establishment of SLINTEC and the planning for the first advanced technology park at Homagama. There is the need for all research institutes, universities, industries and related business enterprises to understand and share knowledge in nano science and nanotechnology developments in Sri Lanka.