The Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS) will hold their 71st Annual Sessions, from 30th November to 4th December 2015. It is held under the theme “Science for Health, Wealth & long Life”. The event co-organized by SLAAS and National Science Foundation will feature both renown and young local scientists as well as foreign scientists. The inauguration ceremony of the sessions is due to take place on the 30th November at theCommittee Room B, BMICH with Hon.Susil Premajayantha, the Minister of Science, Technology and Research gracing the occasion as chief guest. University of Sri Jayewardenepura is the host institution for this year. A press conference was held to update the media about the proceedings.
Speaking to the press, Prof.Deepal Mathew, President of SLAAS, said that their organization has been carrying out a range of activities to popularize science among general public, especially students. The Annual Sessions will be yet another chance to add to this effort. The theme seminar scheduled for the 1st December, will see prominent scientists and industrialists making their presentations while the scientific sessions will occur from 2nd to 4th December. Apart from these, the School Inventors’ Exhibition, Trade & Science Exhibition and a Night Sky Observation Camp are also included in the agenda. Prof.Mathew highlighted that currently in Sri Lanka there isn’t much prominence given to research and seeking scientific solutions to pressing issues. Researchers lack funds, facilities and staff to carry on their tasks. But Sri Lanka is rich in natural resources and if scientifically experimented and developed, they could remarkably boost the economy. Scientists have a major role to play if they are facilitated and exposed accordingly. The Annual Sessions aim to create a mutual platform for the scientists of all generations to discuss their findings and by inviting the public to witness and participate, it serves the association’s mission to promote science further.
The Theme Seminar is based on “Wealth creation through Science”, and it will include leading personalities in the field of science and technology talking about innovative ideas that can be effective in economy. During the sessions, there will be presidential addresses from each section of the different categories of science. In total, there are 95 oral presentations and 30 poster presentations for the 71st Annual Sessions. Added to the discussions on research and the speeches, awards will be given away to chosen researchers and winners of school science projects.
SLAAS also announced that it hopes to ease the gap between the scientific community and the general public in future by releasing more information to the media. The 2015 Annual Sessions are dedicated to that purpose and they invite the interested individuals to profit from this endeavour.
For more information visit http://www.slaas.lk or http://science.sjp.ac.lk/slaas/
