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Overnight Pirith and Morning Almsgiving – 20th Anniversary Commemoration IBMBB celebrated its 20th anniversary by organizing an overnight pirith chanting ceremony that started on 27th April 2024 and morning alms giving for 15 Buddhist Priests who chanted Pirith overnight on 28th April 2024 at the IBMBB premises. The religious event was a combined effort of former as well as current staff and students of IBMBB. The objective of the program was to evoke blessings to all the staff and students of IBMBB and all future endeavors of the IBMBB.

Eye Camp -2024 Eye inspection camp was successfully conducted by Spexbay at the IBMBB on 9th April 2024 which was organized by the Welfare Society of IBMBB. 100 individuals which included staff and students from IBMBB as well as other faculties and institutes of University Colombo got their eyes examined by qualified optometrists. Following tests were conducted. Eye (Refraction) Screening Computer Vision Syndrome and Glaucoma Screening Spectacles were also offered at a discounted rate. 

Memorandum of Understanding Between University of Northumbria Newcastle, UK and University of Colombo Signing of the MoU between the two institutes took place with the presence of the Professors Andy Long, Vice Chancellor, University of Northumbria and H.D. Karunaratne, Vice Chancellor, University of Colombo on 26th July 2023 at the Prime Minister’s office Colombo. This occasion was graced by the Prime Minister, Acting British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Chairman, University Grants Commission, Vice Chancellors, University of Colombo and University of Sri Jayawardenepura, Auditor General, Governor Business Management School, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Director, Postgraduate Institute of Marketing, University of Sri Jayawardenepura, Director IBMBB and other distinguished guests. The scope of this agreement is to establish a relationship to corporate in a broad range of areas and to work together for their mutual benefits. The parties may seek to encourage and develop collaborative activities in various ways including the development of educational and research partnerships with a specific focus on Postgraduate taught and research studies, exchange of scholarly ideas/expertise, the support of specific discipline interaction, the development of programmes and the advanced entry to Northumbria programmes of appropriately qualified students from the Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Colombo.

Annual Scientific Session – 2023 The 12th Annual Scientific Sessions was held on 31st May 2023 at the IBMBB premises. Annual Scientific Sessions is one of the key events in the IBMBB calendar, that provides a platform for an interactive dialog among all the stakeholders in the field of Life Sciences. This year’s Annual Scientific Session primarily focused on the key issues pertaining to multidisciplinary applied research. Validation of novel molecular diagnostics, exploring novel drug leads, and execution of fundamental applied research are some of the highlights of the Conference. Annual Scientific Session 2023 was graced by Senior Professor H. D. Karunarathne, Vice Chancellor, University of Colombo, and Prof. Rohan Siriwardena, Consultant Surgeon delivered the Prof. Stanely Wijesundara Memorial Lecture by sharing his experience in the field of liver transplant.  The sessions consisted of 27 oral presentations and 13 poster presentations.

Blood Donation Camp The blood donation camp which is annually organized by the Welfare Society of IBMBB was held on the 17th May 2013 at the IBMBB premises. Staff and students of the University of Colombo volunteered  to donate blood to the Apeksha Hospital, Maharagama.      

A Bana Preaching Ceremony to Commemorate our 19th Anniversary A bana preaching ceremony for the commemoration of 19th anniversary of the IBMBB, was held on the 28th of April 2023 at the IBMBB premises.  Bana sermon was preached by Ven. Ududumbara Kashyapa Thero. It was held to share merits and invoke blessings for founders of the institute, staff members and the students of IBMBB, University of Colombo. Director, staff and the students attended the ceremony. Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/wb542TyIGuY

New Year Celebration The new year festival was held in the IBMBB premises on 17th April. This was jointly organized by the Staff Welfare Society and the Student Welfare Society of IBMBB. Festivities included traditional new year games which were enjoyable for both staff and students of the IBMBB. 

Eye Checkup Camp The welfare society of the IBMBB together with Spexbay Pvt Ltd. conducted an “Eye Checkup Camp” on 26th January 2023 at the IBMBB premises. Around 50 beneficiaries were screened eye disorders or diseases by a qualified Ophthalmologist. The camp was equipped with all the essential and modern medical equipment and geared to conduct a thorough eye check-up. All the staff members as well as visitors were provided with legitimate reports stating their eye health status.

Strengthening the Industry Collaborations To strengthen the institution to industry concept a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (IBMBB), and Fadna Tea (Pvt) Ltd on January 17, 2023. The event took place at the College House Premises, in the presence of the Vice Chancellor Senior Professor (Chair) H.D. Karunaratne, Director of IBMBB Professor Prasanna Galhena, Professor Sameera R Samarkoon, Director of UBL Cell Professor M.N. Kaumal, Dr Kanishka Senathilake, Ms Arani Ranasinghe, and Mr Mishal Faizan, who were representing the institution. ‘Fadna Tea’ was represented by Managing Director Mr P.M. Chamendra Somathunga, Chief Product Officer Dr D.B.T. Wijerathna, Manager R&D Dr G.P.L. Supulchandra, and Executive R&D Mr S.B.C.J. Sesath Bandara.   IBMBB is a renowned institution that conducts cutting-edge research in the fields of molecular biology, biochemistry, and biotechnology with subject-matter experts on staff. The goal of this collaboration between ‘Fadna Tea’ and IBMBB is to develop functional products such as nutraceuticals and to improve the quality of Sri Lankan products.

Exploring the Industrial Partnerships – “Research, Innovation and Product Development” A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biotechnology, University of Colombo, and LOLC Advanced Technologies PVT LTD on November 24, 2022. The event took place at the University of Colombo, College House Premises with gracing of the Vice Chancellor Senior Prof. H.D. Karunaratne, Director of IBMBB Prof. Prasanna Galhena, Prof. Sameera R Samarakoon, Director of UBL Cell Prof. M.N. Kaumal, Dr. Kanishka Senathilake, Ms. Arani Ranasinghe, and Mr. Mishal Faizan were representing the institution. LOLC Adavaced Technologies was represented by Mr. Danesh Abeyrathne the CEO of LOLC Advanced Technologies, Procurement Manager Mr. Randika Jayasinghe and Deputy Manager international Sales and Marketing Mr. Sahan Mendis. IBMBB is a renowned institution that conducts cutting-edge research in the fields of molecular biology, biochemistry, and biotechnology with subject-matter experts on staff. The goal of this partnership between LOLC Advanced Technologies and IBMBB is to create locally accessible, scientifically useful products. These programs aim to generate cutting-edge innovations that can satisfy the present socioeconomic need by producing new, enhanced products. LOLC Advanced Technologies Pvt. Ltd. is a business set up to explore sustainable business opportunities in the market with the augmentation of science and technology. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of LOLC Holdings PLC. It explores technology and innovation aligned with the country’s vision and aims to infuse local value addition. It further provides opportunities for local scientists to work on exciting projects and encourages a spirit of discovery and innovation, which are abundant in Sri Lanka.