National Science and Technology Commission of Sri Lanka

𝘕𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘚&𝘛 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘴 𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 2023 : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tBtFsvgBSpt42doJrX-w6IZ0r0eGTZgI/view

𝘕𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘚&𝘛 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘴 𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 2024 : https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oazfe7jUK8sMjK6_-4zFZ_PV-mHxvdT5/view

𝟏𝟒𝐭𝐡 𝐘𝐒𝐅 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐒𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐦 (𝐘𝐒𝐅)

The Young Scientists Forum (YSF) of Sri Lanka is hosted by the National Science & Technology Commission (NASTEC) as a consultative forum of the institute. The YSF Research Symposium which was initiated in 2012 has become a popular event with the main objective of providing a platform for young scientists to promote collaborative research by sharing research findings and research interests in different fields while creating a space for networking.

NASTEC has organized its 14th YSF Research Symposium on 30th January 2026 from 9.00 a.m. onward as a one day event at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Colombo 07.

The symposium was initiated with an Inauguration Ceremony and Prof. Rohan Fernando, Chairman of NASTEC welcomed the gathering which consisted of Ministry of Science and Technology officials, Heads of S&T Institutes under Ministry of Science and Technology, as well as authors of the papers to be presented at the symposium and YSF members. Prof. Amila Sandaruwan Ratnayake, Dean & Professor in Geology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Uva Wellassa University, and also the winner of the NASTEC Young Scientist Award for Research 2025, presented the Keynote Address under the title “Earth Science for a Changing Planet: Lessons from a Young Scientist’s Journey”.

The E-Proceedings of the 14th YSF Symposium, YSF Thematic Chapter E-Publication under the title ‘Multidisciplinary Approaches for National Development in Sri Lanka through Advances in Science and Green Technology’, and the 1st Issue of YSF E-Magazine ‘Science and Technology Letters’, were also launched at the inauguration ceremony by the Chief Editors, Dr. Sumudu Mapa, Dr. Upanith Liyanaarachchi, and Dr. Asanka Rajapaksha, respectively.

The 60 research presented in seven parallel technical sessions were published in extended abstract and full paper format in the E-Proceedings of the symposium.

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the YSF was also held on 30th January 2026 and a new 15 member steering committee for YSF for the year 2026 was elected to coordinate future YSF activities.

˜”*°•.˜”*°• Happy New Year - 2026 •°*”˜.•°*”˜

Wishing you a bright and successful New Year filled with good health, new opportunities, and positive energy.

𝔹𝕖𝕤𝕥 𝕎𝕚𝕤𝕙𝕖𝕤 𝕗𝕣𝕠𝕞 ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕚𝕣𝕞𝕒𝕟, ℂ𝔼𝕆 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕗𝕗 𝕠𝕗 ℕ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕒𝕝 𝕊𝕔𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕔𝕖 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕋𝕖𝕔𝕙𝕟𝕠𝕝𝕠𝕘𝕪 ℂ𝕠𝕞𝕞𝕚𝕤𝕤𝕚𝕠𝕟

🚀 Turn Your Ideas into Successful Ventures! 💡
Join the BioBiz Bootcamp: a one-day immersive experience designed to connect you with industry experts, innovators, and trailblazers in the Biotech field.
📅 Date: 8th November 2025
🕗 Time: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 Venue: F603, New Building, SLIIT, Malabe Campus
💰 Investment: Rs. 2000/= per participant
🎯 Learn through real-world pitching, innovation, and entrepreneurship experiences that bridge science and business!
✅ Limited seats available — reserve yours now:
🔗 https://bit.ly/BioBizBootcamp

𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 (𝐄𝐎𝐈) 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧 𝐈𝐓 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 (𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐬) 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐓𝐈 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦

Access through: https://www.nastec.gov.lk/home/expression_of_interest_it_expert

𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 (𝐄𝐎𝐈) 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 & 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 (𝐒&𝐓) 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 - 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

Access through: https://www.nastec.gov.lk/home/expression_of_interest?fbclid=IwY2xjawNLFghleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF2SGlVVTFuTnVJYWx1QXJ1AR4t9LXEEwkIGvccIxwlM6hv9vqYkiyOIVroYsOTH_oaMoJAMOa9PNY-tlLsrw_aem_O62aP3Rvom26RSCFQV4Ppg

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐒&𝐓 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

Performance review of Science and Technology (S&T) institutions in Sri Lanka is nationally important activity. It is one of the mandated functions of National Science and Technology Commission (NASTEC), enforced by the Act No. 11/1994. The performance review of S&T institution to be evaluated by the NASTEC appointed expert panels. First circle of the institutional reviews scheduled in 2025 is currently at the final stage. The Commission decided to start the 2nd circle of review in September, 2025. In this circle of Institutional Performance Review of Arthur C Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies (ACCIMT), Department of Meteorology (DoM), National Institute of Health Sciences (NIHS), and Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA) are considered.

The kick-off meeting for discussion of the review activities was held on 19th of September, at the Auditorium of the Urban Development Authority, Sethsiripaya, Battaramulla. The meeting was headed by the Prof. Rohan Fernando, Chairman of NASTEC and appointment letters for expert panel were distributed.

Third M𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐈𝐌𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐂 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) held its Third Expert Group Meeting on Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Cooperation on 11th September, 2025 at the Ramada by Wyndham in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The event was hosted by the National Science and Technology Commission of Sri Lanka (NASTEC) in collaboration with the BIMSTEC Secretariat, and was presided over by the Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, Sri Lanka. The event brought together 21 senior delegates from BIMSTEC member states, including representatives from the BIMSTEC Secretary General’s Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Science and Technology, and National Science and Technology Commission.

The meeting aimed to accelerate STI development through collaborative regional efforts, facilitate technology transfer among member countries, and foster public-private partnerships to promote innovation and entrepreneurship. A key outcome of the deliberations was the formal adoption of the STI Plan of Action (2023–2027), which sets a strategic framework for advancing cooperation and development in the STI sector. The meeting also featured the BIMSTEC Start-up Conclave and marked the operationalization of the BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility, both of which are expected to strengthen innovation ecosystems and enable cross-border knowledge exchange. Discussions underscored the alignment of the STI Cooperation Plan of Action with regional priorities, and the meeting concluded with a shared commitment to deepening cooperation across the disciplines of science, technology, and innovation. The event marked a significant milestone in BIMSTEC’s efforts to institutionalize STI collaboration and position the region for inclusive and resilient development.

YSF Two-Day Workshop on Diversity and Taxonomy of Cryptogamic Plants and Algae was held on 2nd & 3rd August 2025, in collaboration with the Botany and Plant Biotechnology Society, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. Dr. Isuru Kariyawasam, Senior Lecturer, Department of Botany, University of Sri Jayewardenepura conducted this successful workshop through a series of lectures, practical sessions and field observations. Special thanks to everyone in the Department of Botany, YSF and NASTEC who supported in making this workshop a success.

Call for Extended Abstracts and Full Papers
14th YSF Research Symposium 2026
Theme: “Fostering National Development through Multidisciplinary Research and Innovations”
Date: 30th January 2026
Venue: Colombo
Submission Deadline: 12th September 2025
- For registration and submission of papers please visit: https://cmt3.research.microsoft.com/YSF2026/
- For paper guidelines please visit: https://www.nastec.gov.lk/ysfs/ysf_research_symposium

The National Science and Technology Commission (NATEC) of Sri Lanka is the apex body of the Science Technology and Innovation Sector (STI) in Sri Lanka, serving Policy making activity in the STI sector and Review the Science and Technology Institution in Sri Lanka. It is the mandated activity as per the Act no 11 of 1994. The performance review of the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) is currently evaluated by the NASTEC appointed expert committee and the Stakeholder meeting was held on 2025.06.06 at the Auditorium of the National Productivity Secretariat, 10th Floor, Sethsiripaya Stage II, Battaramulla. Wide spectrum of the SLSI stakeholders actively engaged in this meeting and expressed their views of the performance enhancement perspectives of SLSI in that forum. The review panel chaired by Mr Chinthaka S. Lokuhetti. Prof. Priyani A. Paranagama and Mr K. R. Dayananda participated as the expert panel members.

𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞. 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐡𝐚 - 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞, 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐝𝐨𝐦.

𝑾𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂 𝒃𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒇𝒖𝒍 𝑽𝒆𝒔𝒂𝒌! 🪷✨