Kandiah Memorial Awards

These awards are made for the best research contribution in Chemistry carried out by a student registered for a postgraduate degree by either course work and/or research at a Higher Educational Institute in Sri Lanka and for work carried out in Sri Lanka, with the exception of special analysis that cannot be done in the country. Such results should however be less than 20% of the findings of the work reported for the award. Sandwich programmes carried out partially abroad do not qualify for the award.
These awards are made annually to commemorate Prof. A Kandiah, the first President of the Chemical Society of Ceylon. Prof. Kandiah served the University of Ceylon from 1933 to 1951. He was the Professor of Chemistry at the University of Ceylon until he passed away.

Kandiah Memorial Awards I & II are presented for the best research contribution in Chemistry carried out by a postgraduate student registered at a Higher Educational Institution.

Kandiah Memorial Award I is awarded for research work conducted at a Higher Educational Institution.

Kandiah Memorial Award II is awarded for research work conducted at an institution other than a Higher Educational Institution.

From 2006 onwards, there are three such awards. Each award shall comprise a Bronze Medal and a cash prize of Rs. 15,000/-. The recipient of each award shall be invited to deliver the “Kandiah Memorial Award Lecture” at the Institute’s Annual Sessions.

  • Kandiah Award for Basic Chemistry
    For research predominately in basic Chemistry (Organic, Inorganic, Physical, and Analytical).
  • Kandiah Award for Applied Chemistry
    For research in Chemistry related areas such as polymer, food, biochemistry, biotechnology, where interdisciplinary research is involved, and provided that chemistry has a central role and comprises at least 50% of the content.
  • Kandiah Memorial Graduateship Award
    For the best piece of research in the Chemical Sciences carried out by a Graduate Chemist of the College of Chemical Sciences/Institute Chemistry Ceylon, registered with a Higher Education Institute for a Post Graduate Degree.

Marking scheme:

  1. Research publications in SCI/SCIE journals
    (up to 3 points/publication and 2 points for indexing in above indices.) (no maximum limit)
  2. Research publications in other journals up to 2 points/publication (no maximum limit)
  3. Communications/Abstracts published up to 1 point/abstract (no maximum limit)
  4. Patents
    International up to 10 points/patent (no maximum limit)
    Local up to 5 points/patent (no maximum limit)

Kandiah Memorial Award Winners

1970 – Mr R Somanathan

1970 – Mr S P Gunasekera

1979 –  Mr N P D Nanayakkara

1979 – Mr S H M Nilar

1979 – Mr A P Danthanarayana

1979 – Dr G M K B Gunaherath

1979 – Mr G Weeratunge

1979 – Mr P M Muthukuda

1987 – Dr R A Dkumarawickrama

1988 – Dr W R Wimalasiri

1992 – Mr J H M U L B Jayasinghe

1996 – Mr J P N Jayaweera

2000 – Dr Kayalvili Alagesan

2001 – Ms Ranjala Ratnayaka

2001 – Ms V M Thadhani

2001 – Ms T S Malalavidhane

2005 – Dr U G Chandrika

2006 –  Dr (Ms) D I Uluwaduge, Dr (Ms) S Kathirgamanathar

1982 – Mr R Devendra

1986 – Mr S J Sarath Kumara

1989 – Ms D D Abeygunasekera

1992 – Ms G V Mallika

1993 – Ms W M A P Wanigasekera

1999 – Ms W M N M Wijesinghe

2000 – Ms A M A Priyadarshani

2001 – Ms P S Athukoralage

2005 – Ms K Kalhari

2006 –  Mr P A N Punyasiri

2007 –  Ms K P N Piyasena

2008 –  Ms N R Amarasinghe

2012 –  Ms P K V Ranji

2016 –  Ms N S Bopage

2017 –  Mr M Qader

2023 –  Mr. W. M. Priyantha Samarasinghe

2007 –  Ms K P N Piyasena

2008 –  Dr K K G M P B Herath

2016 –  Ms A G A W Alakolange

2017 –  Ms C L Kehelpannala

2020 –  Ms E A C Priyadarshani

2022 –  Ms B M Y D E Amarasekara

2023 –  Mr S Keerthanan

2005 – Ms L G Pathberiya

2006 – Mr A A P Keerthi, Ms M T Napagoda

2010 – Mr N D A Wageesha

2015 – Mr Dilanka Fernando, Prof Preethi de Soyza

2016 – Ms D Thanabalasingam

2017 – Ms K S S P Fernando

2020 – Ms T C T Peiris

2025 –  Ms W A D Latheesha S Abeywardana