Contents

ISSN 2012-5356

Volume 04, No. 08 April – June 2011

University of Peradeniya News

University of Peradeniya News Web : www.pdn .ac.lk

Statistics & Information Unit, Senate Building Tel. : 081-2392433

University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya. E-mail : statofficer@pdn.ac.lk

The anniversary celebrations organized by the Sri Sambuddhatva Jayanti SteeringCommittee of the University of Peradeniya commenced on 5th May 2011with thelaunching of Vesak Greeting Cards by the Vice Chancellor of the University, andthe Dean of the Faculty ofArts.

A quarterly update of important events of the University of Peradeniya

University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, 20400, Sri Lanka.

Perasoft Team from the Department of Computer Engineering, Faculty ofEngineering, won the first place at the Sri Lanka Finals of Imagine Cup 2011Competition held on 27th May 2011.

The winning team members were Lahiru Senadheera, Madusanka Dasanayake,Lakshita Herath and Dinushan Samarakoon. This year, these students willrepresent Sri Lanka in the International Finals of Imagine Cup 2011 in NewYork. The team was coached by Dr. Dhammika Elkaduwa and Dr. RoshanRagel of the Department of Computer Engineering.

The Commemoration of the 2600th Anniversaryof the Sri Sambuddhatva Jayanti at the University of Peradeniya

.

The Vesak Greeting Cards were handed over to the Dean of the Faculty of Arts byVen. Dr. M. Gnanananda, the Chairman of the Sri Sambuddhatva Jayanti SteeringCommittee, and the Dean presented them to the Vice Chancellor.

The Vice Chancellor presenting the Vesak Greeting Cards to the most Venerable Mahanayakatheros of Asgiriya and Malwatta Chapters.

University of Peradeniya to Represent Sri Lanka at Imagine Cup 2011in NewYork

Ven. Dr. M. Guanananda thero and Mr. D.R.G.K. Godamunna, the PublicRelations Officer of the University of Peradeniya, also participated in this event.

Students of the University of Peradeniya singing Bhakthi Geetha on Vesak Day

Contd. Page 2

The winning Team: Lahiru Senadheera,Madusanka Dasanayake, Lakshita Herath,Dinushan Samarakoon

Mahapola Scholarship AwardCeremony

Blood Donation Camp

Dengue Prevention Week

Inter Medical FacultyPaediatric Quiz 2011

FAHS News

Library News

Orientation Programme forBBA (Online)

Sports

Contd. Last Page

Subsequently, the Vice Chancellor offered the Vesak Greeting Cards and thedetails of the anniversary Programme to the most Venerable Mahanayaka therosofAsgiriya and Malwatta Chapters on 05th May 2011 at their official temples.

The competition was intense and teams from the UCSC, SLIIT, Informatics, CSE (Moratuwa), and IT(Moratuwa) participated. Informatics and the University of Moratuwa became the First and the SecondRunners up respectively. Imagine Cup is a Microsoft Company sponsored competition for internationalstudents. For details, please visit http://www.imaginecup.com/

University of Peradeniya News 02

Mahapola Scholarship Award Ceremony – 2009/2010

The Mahapola Scholarship Award Ceremony for the 2009/2010 batch of the University of Peradeniya washeld on 11.06.2011 at the E.O.E. Perera Hall, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya.

1,575 students in the 2009/2010 batch of the University were selected as beneficiaries of the MahapolaScholarship. Prof. K Premaratne, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University, graced the event as theChief Guest.

Engineering students to take part in a competition in USA

A team of four Final year Electrical and Electronics Engineering students have been selected for the finalround of the 'International Future Energy Challenge' (IFEC) competition. This international competition,held every two years and open to universities around the world, is sponsored by Institute of Electricaland Electronic Engineers (IEEE).

the

The proposal by the team from the University ofPeradeniya titled “Li-Ion battery charger forautomotive and renewable energy applications''was selected for the first round. All four teammembers attended the workshop which coincidedwith Applied Power Electronics Conference(APEC) in Texas, USA, on the 6th of March 2011.After evaluating the progress of the project, theorganizing committee selected seven teams tocompete in the final competition to be held on 22ndand 23rd July, 2011 in Michigan, USA. The teamfrom the University of Peradeniya is among theseven selected teams.

The members of the team are S.M.K.B. Samarakoon, H.S. Jayakody, P.S.N. Perera and R.R.S. De Bulathge,and the Faculty advisor is Dr. S.G.Abeyratne of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

Prof. K Premaratne, theDeputy Vice Chancellorawards a certificate to astudent

Special Invitees of theCeremony

A group of participants

University of Peradeniya News 03

Blood Donation Camp

ABlood Donation Camp organized by the Sevaka Subhasadaka Sangamaya (Employees' Welfare Society) ofthe Security Division of the University of Peradeniya was conducted on 22nd June 2011 at the premises of theSecurity Office.

The camp was conducted in accordance with a proposal presented by Mr. G.W. Ranaweera, the Deputy Chief

Security Officer of the University of Peradeniya to mark the 2600 anniversary of the Sri SambuddhatvaJayanti. Sixty two donors including the Deputy Chief Security Officer, Security Inspectors, Security Guards,Academic and Non Academic employees of the University as well as some students donated blood at thiscamp.

th

The 7 National Training Course in Integrating Sexual and ReproductiveHealth Services in Crises

th

The 7 National Training Course in IntegratingSexual and Reproductive Health Services in Crisesconducted by the Health Emergency and DisasterManagement Training Centre (HEDMaTC) incollaboration with the UNFPA was held as a three-day residential training programme from 12th -14th May 2011 at Hotel Topaz, Kandy. Theparticipants included the Provisions Director ofHealth Services (PDHS), Medical Officer/FamilyHealth Bureau(MO/FHB), Act. Medical Officer ofHealth (MOH), the Medical Officer in charge ofSexually Transmitted Diseases (STD), the

th

Additional MOH, MO Health Promotion, the Registrar of Community Medicine, School MO, MO /Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD), MO /In charge, MO Coordinator/Rehabilitation and the MO of MentalHealth. Ten resource persons conducted the training programme for 20 participants. At the completion ofseven successful programs, the total number of trained persons in this field island-wide increased to 165.

Blood was received by the Blood Bank of the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital. Security Inspectors andSecurity Guards extended their fullest support to this noble cause, and the expenses were borne by theWelfare Society of the Security Division of the University of Peradeniya.

Prof. S.B. Weerakoon /Dean - Faculty of Engineering, Prof. (Mrs.) A.S.P. Abhayaratna/Dean –

Faculty of Arts, Dr. D.B.M. Wickramarathne /Dean-Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Prof. P.Abeynayake/Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Mr. G. Bogaswaththa/

Manager, Bank of Ceylon, Peradeniya and Mrs. S.N. Dharmarathne /Manager, Bank of Ceylon

(University Branch) also participated at the ceremony.

The Mahapola Scholarship Award Ceremony was organized by the Student Services Branch of

the University.

University of Peradeniya News 04

The launch of the “Irrigation Heritage of Sri Lanka”and the “Future of the Environment” (in Sinhala)written by Mr. Muditha Prasannajith Perera, a lecturerin the Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts, washeld on 22-03-2011 at the Geography Theater.

Prof.A.S.P.Abayaratna, the Dean of the Faculty ofArtsparticipated as the Chief Guest, and Prof. S.K.Hennayake, Head of the Department of Geography,Ven. Prof. H. Deerannada, Prof. G.H. Peris, Prof.H.M.D.R. Herath, Prof. M. Somathilake and Dr. H.B.Nanayakkara expressed their views on the books.

Book Launching Ceremony

Academic staff members of the Faculty of Arts and the staff of the Department of Geography alsoparticipated.

Dengue Prevention Week from 20 – 26 June 2011

The Health Centre of the University of Peradeniya in collaboration with the Health Ministry organizedseveral activities to coincide with the Dengue Prevention Week (20 -26 June 2011).The Health Centre tookmeasures to inspect Faculties, the Halls of Residence, the University Quarters, other buildings and theirenvirons, and cleaned up dengue breeding grounds and briefed the residents in the said locations regardingpreventive measures (labourers attached to the Health Services Division had already taken steps to clean thetrench system and potential mosquito breeding grounds as part of their daily routine). Large amounts of wastematerial such as bottles, yoghurt cups, food wrappers and polythene bags were found around the newly builtmilk stall near the New Arts Theatre where several dengue larvae were also found, and measures were takento clean up the area. Furthermore, dengue larvae were found in nine University Quarters and steps were takento educate the residents and to clean up the places where larvae are bred. This program shall be implementedregularly in the future.

“ ” -Let's line up to prevent dengue A message from the Health Service Division

Please take steps to inspect your work place, Faculty, Halls of Residence, University Quarters, other buildingsand their environs to locate mosquito breeding grounds and clean them up. This procedure should not belimited to the Dengue Prevention Week but must be carried out at least once a week.

The leaflet distributed by the Health Services Division:-

The Photo showing a bowl filled with rainwater in which dengue larvae were found

University of Peradeniya News 05

v

v

Keep water tanks, barrels, cans etc. tightlyclosed, and clean them once a week.

Clean your fridge at least once a week, andremove ant traps.

v

v

v

v

v

v

Earn money by collecting and sellingdiscarded items such as plastic bowls/tins/bottles/coconut shells/yoghurt cups/curd pots/polythene etc, or store them awayfrom rain water or bury them by cutting intosmall pieces.

Fill sand into discarded tires in order toprevent water from collecting in them, ormake holes or store them in a sheltered place.

Make sure that rain water flows downconcrete roofs, gutters etc. by removingitems such as dried leaves from these places.

Clean blocked gutters to make rain water flowdown easily.

Clean ponds, flower pots, etc. once a week.

Avoid plants which may retain rain water onleaves, or trees with holes, or bamboo wood.If these already exist, remove or inspect themregularly in order to prevent rain water fromcollecting in them.

FAHS News

Do not allow the deadly Dengue mosquito tobreed in your home/neighbourhood. Follow theabove recommendations once a week and makeyour contribution to eradicate the Dengueepidemic from Sri Lanka. Negligence shall leadto prosecution in terms of the relevant law.

Observe the following:

·

·

·

·

·

The final results of the 01st batch (2005/2006)of Pharmacy students in the Faculty of AlliedHealth Sciences have been released and theywill be awarded the Bachelor of PharmacyDegree at the next Convocation.

The X-Ray unit of the Faculty is now inoperation and X-ray images can be obtained ataffordable prices.

The Physiotherapy Service unit of the FAHS isnow providing outpatient treatment ataffordable prices.

The 3 Volume of the Sir Lanka Bulletin ofNursing and Allied Health Sciences is readyfor publication, and interested parties areencouraged to send in their articles for the nextissue.

Work related to the installation of thestructured data network at the Faculty ofAlliedHealth Sciences is in progress.

rd

The Annual Inter Medical Faculty Paediatric Quizorganized by the Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians

was held for the 5 consecutive year on the 8th of May2011 at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute,Independence Square, Colombo.

The team from the Medical Faculty of the University ofPeradeniya was outstanding in their performance andwon the prestigious Paediatric Quiz for the thirdconsecutive year by defeating contestants from fiveother Medical Faculties in the country.

th

The members of the team were Dr. A.M.G.A.R.Bandara, Dr. M.H.Wattegama, Dr. C.S.Danasekara, Dr.C.N. Kahathuduwa and Dr. S.L.A.D.C.B. Perera.

The students of the Faculty of Medicine,University of Peradeniya, won the samecompetition in 2007, 2009, 2010, and were runnersup in 2008.

Winners of the Inter Medical Faculty Paediatric Quiz 2011

University of Peradeniya News 06

Library News

·

·

·

·

Subsequent to the introduction of databasessuch as Science Direct, Emerald, SCOPUSetc to a group of academic staff membersfrom the University of Peradeniya in March2010, access is now made available to theseresources through the Main Library of theUniversity of Moratuwa. Please contactMrs. H. Dissanayake, Senior Asst. Librarian/ IT Division ( ) formore information.

The revised website of the University ofPeradeniya Library Network was launchedin mid May 2011. Please visit us at

.

The Main Library has re-opened its FrontCounter as an Inquiry Desk which appears tobe of added assistance to library users.

Mrs. K.P.K. Dambawinna, Senior AssistantLibrar ian /AHS Library and Mrs .B.M.M.C.B. Hindagolla, AssistantLibrarian/ Dental Library, are attending anadvanced training in library practice atNiigata University, Japan, from 1st June to31stAugust 2011.

harshanid@pdn.ac.lk

www.lib.pdn.ac.lk

·

·

Two senior staff members of the UP LibraryNetwork were awarded the UniversityResearch Grants for the year 2011 for thefollowing projects:

Mrs P.A.S.H.Perera, Senior Assistant Librarian/MedicalLibrary.

– Ms. C.N.K. Alahakoon, SeniorAssistant Librarian/Reference Services.

wasorganized by the Medical Library on 26th May2010 at the E-library, Faculty of Medicine. TheSeminar was sponsored by the WHO and wasattended by academics of the Faculties of theDental Sciences, Medicine and VeterinaryMedicine. Four resource persons madepresentations and 'hands on computer' sessionsat the Seminar.

A Study on the Use of Resources andServices in the Medical Library (includingthe e-library) by its users – .

Use of Information CommunicationTechnologies by the Dental Sciencesundergraduates at the University ofPeradeniya

A “User Awareness Seminar on HealthInformation for Health Professionals”

The Orientation Programme for the BBA (Online) Degree - 2011

The Orientation Programme 2011 for the Bachelor of Business Administration (Online) Degree studentsconducted through the Centre for Distance and Continuing Education was held on 9th April 2011 at theCDCEAuditorium. Atotal of 72 students are enrolled in this programme for the current academic year.

Prof. A.S.P Abhayaratna, Dean, Faculty of Arts, Dr. A.G.H.J Edirisinghe, Director/CDCE, Mrs. MalaniRanasinghe Chairperson/Boards of Study and Dr. M. Alfred, Academic Coordinator/ BBA OnlineProgramme, addressed the students. Subject experts offered brief introductions to the different courses in theDegree Programme.

Sports

! Selection Trials to choose the Sri LankaUniversity team for the World University Games2011 were conducted during April at variousvenues. The Selection Trial for the game of Chesswas conducted from 02nd to 04th April at theUniversity of Moratuwa. Three students, KMHKKonara-E/07/174, PRGDK Jayathilake-S/08/206 & RS Kalugampitiya-S/08/373, fromthe University of Peradeniya were selected to theSri Lanka University Chess Team. The Trial forthe track & field events was also held in the firstweek of April at the Diyagama International

stadium. WMTK Weerasekara- AG/FT/06/023was chosen to take part in the World UniversityGames to be held in China from 07th to 22ndAugust, 2011. HY Weerathunga will berepresenting Sri Lanka in swimming.

The University of Moratuwa organized 'MoraHockey 7's Invitational Tournament 2011' at thepremises of the Moratuwa University on 05th May2011. The University of Peradeniya women's teamclinched the Champion's Trophy and the men'steam came third.

!

Details of Retired / Resigned Employees(for the period from 01-04-2011 to 30-06-2011)

University of Peradeniya News 07

!

!

!

!

The Inter University Carrom Championshipwas held from 25th to 26th June 2011 at the SriLanka Carrom Federation, Reid Avenue,Colombo. The women's team of the University ofPeradeniya became the first runner-up but themen's team lost at the quarter final.

The Inter University Tennis Championshiptook place at the tennis courts of the University ofMoratuwa from 10th to 13th June 2011. TheUniversity of Peradeniya men's team securedthird place and the women's team came fourth.

The University of Peradeniya weightliftersperformed extremely well at the Inter UniversityWeightlifting Championship to become theOverall Runner-up.

The National Youth Service Councilconducted the District Volleyball Tournament on10th June, 2011. The University of Peradeniyamen's team won the champion's title and entered

the National Youth Service Volleyball competitionheld on 22nd June 2011 at Ruwanwella.Unfortunately, the team failed to secure a medalposition.

Ms. MRK Karunathilake was the winner at theCentral Province Karate Championship held on20th June 2011 at the Gymnasium of theUniversity of Peradeniya. She won in the 60 Kgweight category.

Ruggerites from the University of Peradeniyaperformed well in the premier competition of theInter University Rugby Championship 2011 andbecame the Inter University winners. Ourruggerites defeated leading teams such as thosefrom the University of Moratuwa, University ofSri Jayewardenepura and the Rajarata University.

The University of Peradeniya women's Hockeyteam became champions and the men's team camefourth at the Inter University HockeyChampionships held from 16th to 19th June &23rd to 26th at the University of Colombo.

!

!

!

01 Mr. UB Seelangedara Plumber- Gr. I Maintenance Division 4402 Mr. ANMN Navaratne Staff Technical Officer Faculty of Engineering 3803 Mr. DM Wijesooriya Mechanic - Special Grade04 Mr. PG Abeyrathne Banda Lab Attendant Faculty of Medicine 3705 Mr. EG Samaradasa Karyala Karya Sahayaka Faculty of Arts 3606 Mr. JPG Pathiraja Labourer - Special Grade Faculty of Vet. Medicine & Animal Sci. 3607 Mrs. SI Wansekara Senior Staff Assistant Student Services Branch 35

- Stenography Services08 Mrs. ABM Nijam Staff Assistant Faculty of Arts 34

- Clerical Services09 Mrs. LPG Yoganathan Senior Staff Assistant Faculty of Arts 34

- Clerical Services10 Mr. PGBH Bojaraja Senior Staff Assistant 33

- Clerical Services11 Mrs. AWAKK Amarasinghe Senior Staff Assistant Financial Administration 33

- Clerical Services12 Mr. D Rambukwella Deputy Registrar Academic Establishments 3213 Mr. DM Tikiribanda Labourer - Special Grade Engineering Workshop 3114 Mr. WA Samaranayake Senior Assistant Registrar Non-Academic Establishments 3115 Mr. WIF Jayawardhane Labourer - Special Grade Physical Education Division 3116 Mr. DM Tikiribanda Lab Attendant Faculty of Science 2717 Mr. RDJ Wijewardena Full Time Sub Warden Jayathilake Hall 26

- Special Grade18 Mrs. ND Somawathie Labourer - Gr. I Hilda Obeysekara Hall 2619 Mr. HM Herath Banda Caretaker - Special Grade Upper Hanthana Guest House 2620 Mr. WMA Wickramasinghe Supervisor - Gr. I Faculty of Arts 2321 Mr. WK Wipulasena Labourer - Special Grade Faculty of Vet. Medicine & Animal Sci. 2122 Mr. CPS Ilangasinghe Staff Technical Officer Faculty of Medicine 17

Name Designation Department Years of Service

- Gr. IFaculty of Engineering 37

- Special Grade

Faculty of Engineering

- Higher Grade

Gr. - II

University of Peradeniya,Peradeniya, 20400,Sri Lanka.

A quarterly update of important events of the University of PeradeniyaUniversity of Peradeniya News

Re-structured web site of the University of Peradeniya – www.pdn.ac.lk

The University of Peradeniya is pleased to announce the launch of its improved and updated version of thewww.pdn.ac.lk website. The updated version of the site was released on 02nd May 2011. The site has beenredesigned to provide a better and efficient service to the University staff, students and the internet community.

The new website provides enhanced access to the information and resources of the University of Peradeniya.Aclear structure, simplified navigation and improved search functions are some of its new features.

If you experience any difficulties with the new website or have comments or suggestions, please contactthe Web Developer at webmaster@pdn.ac.lk.

Other programmes conducted by the University of Peradeniya to commemorate the2600th anniversary of the Sri Sambuddhatva Jayanti