The Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS) and National Science Foundation (NSF) under the patronage of the British Council conducted a forum of the Brtish alumni to reflect on “Transdisciplinary Approach for Sustainable Development” at the Movenpick Hotel on 24 October 2023. These institutions assembled a galaxy of UK-trained high-profile Sri Lankans in Sri Lanka and the UK to deliberate on the above theme which signified an important landmark in the annals of the SLAAS as well as the NSF.
His Excellency Andrew Patrick, British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka was the Chief Guest of this event. Senior officials of the British Council including Mr. Orlando Edwards, Country Director and Ms Kate Joyce, Director, Cultural Engagement for South Asia were also present. Prof. Eran Edirisinghe, Pro Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation, University of Keele, UK and Professor Athula Sumathipala, Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry, Keele University and Emeritus Professor of Global Mental Health, Kings College London and Prof. Saroj Jayasinghe, Prof. Ruchira Cumaranatunga,, Prof. Ajith de Alwis and Prof. P. Ravirajan and Prof. Prasad Jayaweera served as resource persons.
In addition, senior officials and scientists from the UGC, Universities, R&D institutions and government institutions, members of the Boards of Management of the SLASS and the NSF were present on this august occasion. Further information given in the link below.
This historic event marked a beginning of a long journey of the SLAAS in partnership with the British Council and the NSF in a mutually rewarding and reinforcing manner to leverage particularly the British Alumni at home and abroad to address some high-priority real-life issues in Sri Lanka through a transdisciplinary and transnational approach.