Archive

Green Climate Fund Knuckles Project Discussion with ICRAF and IBMBB, University of Colombo Dr. Fergus Sinclair visited IBMBB on December 13th, 2022, with the ICRAF and Knuckles Project teams, which included Dr. S. Premakmara, Mr. Chandana Edirisooriya, and Dr. Sirimal Premakmara, to discuss the establishment of a genomics center in Sri Lanka based on the Knuckles Project. Prof. Prasanna Galhena, along with Prof. Sameera Samarakoon, and the rest of the IBMBB staff, which includes Dr. Ruwandi, Mr. Kanchana, Mr. Mendis, Ms. Nethu, Dr. Hasitha, Ms. Joanne, and Mr. Mishal, were part of the meeting. The key areas for submission of the proposal and an expression of interest to enhance genomic exploration in Sri Lanka were discussed. As a leading institution in Sri Lanka for the Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology with extensive experience, a solid project idea was established for the betterment of Sri Lanka.

Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Department of Food Sciences Visit to IBMBB The Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Livestock, Fisheries, and Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, visited IBMBB, University of Colombo, on October 27, 2022. The field visit was organized for 42 students from the 3rd year based on a module conducted on the title of “Biotechnology in Food Science. They were exposed to the different types of labs, research, and equipment available at IBMBB by the academic staff and PhD students.

Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Programme The first Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Programme for Non- Academic Staff/ IBMBB was organized based on the Training Need Analysis. Accordingly, 6 days Training Programme was conducted under following areas. Introduction to Administrative Framework and Statutory Committees of IBMBB General Administration General Introduction to Financial Regulation, Procurement Procedures, & General Repairs, Service Agreements, Board of Survey, Losses, Write-off General Auding Procedure Disciplinary Matters, Rights and Obligations of University Employees The individual Portfolio was developed by the participants and the portfolios were assessed. The Certificates were awarded with the presence of the Registrar/ UOC and Director/ IBMBB.

Chemistry Seminar for A/L Students The Dhammissara Old Pupils’ Association organized a chemistry seminar for A/L students, and Prof. Sameera R Samarakoon and Dr. Kanishka S Senathilaka from IBMBB were invited as key resource personnel. The seminar was conducted successfully, and coordination was carried out by the Business Development Unit of IBMBB.  

Open Day IBMBB had its virtual open day on October 14, 2022, with the participation of more than 100 students and researchers. The event was conducted through the Zoom platform. led by Prof. Prasanna Galhena, Prof. Shiroma Handunnetti, Prof. Jagathpriya Weerasena, Prof. Sameera Samarakoon, and Prof. Sisira Pathirana, along with the esteemed panel of academics from IBMBB, were present to introduce the MSc programs and the short courses to the participants. Additional innovative and industrial talks were given by Dr. Geethani (Head of Laboratories, Lanka Hospital Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd.), Mr. Tennakoon (Head of Research and Development, Link Natural Products Pvt. Ltd.), Mr. Chamendra (Founder, FADNA Food and Nature Pvt. Ltd.), and Dr. Muditha (Head of Research, John Keells Holdings). The proceedings concluded with a success note, and the student feedback for the event was excellent. 

The Matriarch of IBMBB Professor Kamani Hemamala Tennekoon is well-known to the scientific community of Sri Lanka for her dedicated contribution to various branches of science and especially to Molecular Life Sciences. Professor Tennekoon obtained her MBBS with a second-class upper division in 1979 from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo. In 1981, she was recruited to the Department of Physiology as a Lecturer. In 1982, having secured a Commonwealth Scholarship she proceeded to the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom to peruse her PhD. Upon her return to the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, after completing her post-graduate studies, she was promoted as a Senior Lecturer. She was promoted to the post of Associate Professor in Physiology in 1995, Professor in Physiology in 2002 on merit and Professor of Physiology in 2004. She served as the Director of the Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IBMBB) for two consecutive terms (from 2007-2012). From 2010 until her retirement, she served as the Senior Professor of Molecular Life Sciences at the IBMBB. Professor Tennekoon is an erudite scholar, a marvelous researcher and an academic of the highest caliber. She began her research career in the field of reproductive physiology and extended her research focus into molecular genetics of cancer, mitochondrial DNA and ancient DNA, population genetics, natural product development, and identification of biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma. She has supervised numerous Master and Doctoral students and authored nearly 80 publications published in international peer reviewed journals. Her excellence in research was duly recognized Prof. Tennekoon receiving the presidential research awards in the years 2001, 2005, 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2016, merit awards for scientific excellence in 2011, 2013 and 2014, SUSRED award in 2016 by the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka (NSF) and the Senate awards for research excellence in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019. She has also received several research grants from national and international funding agencies.    Presidential Research Award 2015 Vice Chancellor Research Excellence Award 2018 She was the guardian of IBMBB during its difficult times and her immense contribution to uplift the IBMBB is invaluable. Since she was the successor of Professor Eric Karunanayake, founder director of IBMBB, she had the responsibility in leading the family of IBMBB at very early stages. Going forwards unscathed in various difficult situations while facing criticisms, her efforts to transform IBMBB as a “Centre of Excellence” in the field of Molecular Life Sciences is highly commendable. She pioneered in research and development by strengthening infrastructure and human resources, thus facilitating a conducive environment for research at IBMBB. She was the instrumental in building a research team with vibrant research fellows, currently performing extremely well in the fields of reproductive medicine, population genetics and natural product drug developments. She was an excellent teacher as well as a mentor who nurtured young scientist in the country. Her tireless work as an administrator, teacher and a mentor during her stay at the IBMBB was a blessing for a productive outcome. At the Opening Ceremony of IBMBB Delivering Welcome Address at the ICFMLS 2014 as the Conference Chair Although she pretends to be a tough character, it is well known that she is a soft heartened person who always try to help students, colleagues and especially those who seeks her assistance. She is one of the academics who had the privilege in serving University of Colombo for a period of 40 years that enabled her to gain a wealth of experience. This lifetime training is no doubt a blessing in disguise for her personnel achievements, perhaps the success story of the IBMBB, indirectly. Dear Madam, despite the mandatory retirement, IBMBB family never accept your retirement. Simply there is no substitute whatsoever and the IBMBB eagerly looks forward to your presence for many years to come. We wish that your inspiration, intellectual prowess and passion of teaching will be invaluable assets in the future as well just as it was during the past eighteen years.´´´