Sri Lankan Women Chemists’ Breakfast 2026

The Women Chemists Committee of the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon successfully organized the Sri Lankan Women Chemists’ Breakfast on 10 February 2026 at the IChemC Malabe Campus, alongside the IUPAC Global Women’s Breakfast.

The event supported the International Day of Women and Girls in Science and was conducted under the theme “Many Voices, One Science.”

Programme

The programme opened with remarks by Prof. Hema Pathirana, followed by an introduction by Prof. Suranga Wickramarachchi.

The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Anuruddhi Edirisinghe, Director of the Centre for Gender Studies and Senior Professor in Forensic Medicine at the University of Kelaniya.

Her presentation highlighted challenges faced by women in science, including issues surrounding sexual and gender-based violence.

Competitions

Winners of the Essay Competition on “Challenges and Opportunities in Improving Diversity in STEM Education” and the Photographic Abstract Competition were announced during the event.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Medha Gunaratna, followed by a traditional Sri Lankan breakfast.

Global Women’s Breakfast 2025

The Institute of Chemistry Ceylon hosted the Global Women’s Breakfast on 11 February 2025 at the Adamantane House Auditorium in Rajagiriya, in collaboration with the IUPAC Women Chemists Committee.

The event was held under the theme “Accelerating Equity in Science.”

The Women Chemists Committee was initially established in 2019. Prof. Priyani Paranagama, past president of IChemC and from the University of Kelaniya, played an important role in its initiation.

Guest Speakers

Prof. Janitha Liyanage, then President of IChemC, highlighted the significant contribution of women across different occupations and sectors.

Ms. Chathini Uduwana, Country Head and Vice President of Typefi Systems Sri Lanka and Women in Tech Ambassador, encouraged women to pursue their goals in supportive professional environments.

Dr. Indira Kahawita, Consultant Dermatologist at the National Hospital Colombo, addressed women's health, self-care and overall wellbeing while balancing professional and personal responsibilities.

Competition Winners

Photographic Abstract Competition

• 1st – Ms. K. D. Chrishmika Shivanthini, Institute of Chemistry Ceylon
• 2nd – Ms. T. Dananji Nayanahari and Ms. P. L. Chamini Madushika, University of Colombo

Essay Competition

• 1st – Ms. K.A.K.A. Kumarapeli, University of Ruhuna
• 2nd – Ms. K.T.G.A. Haripriya, University of Sri Jayewardenepura
• 3rd – Ms. D.M.A.T. Doranegoda, University of Kelaniya

The event concluded with a traditional Sri Lankan breakfast and provided an opportunity to celebrate the strength, resilience and potential of women in science.

Sri Lankan Women Chemists Breakfast 2024

For the fourth consecutive year, the Women Chemists Committee organized the Sri Lankan Women Chemists Breakfast to coincide with the IUPAC Global Women’s Breakfast.

The event was held on 27 February 2024 from 9.00 a.m. onwards at Adamantane House, Institute of Chemistry Ceylon.

The theme for the event was “Catalyzing Diversity in Science.”

Programme

The welcome address was delivered by Prof. Namal Priyantha, President of IChemC, followed by an introduction by Prof. Priyani Paranagama, Chairperson of the Women Chemists Committee and Chair of Chemistry at the University of Kelaniya.

Guest speeches were delivered by Dr. Kala Peiris, Director of the Sri Lanka Center for Development Facilitation and Development Consultant, and Prof. Manawadevi Ganehenage, Head of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Peradeniya.

The programme included presentations from finalists of the Photographic Abstract Competition and the inter-university competition on “Nurturing Work-Life Balance.”

Winners were announced, followed by a vote of thanks by Dr. Gobika Thiripuranathar, Secretary of the Women Chemists Committee.

The event concluded with a breakfast session that enabled participants to discuss, network and share experiences in support of diversity and gender equality in the scientific community.