Research Awards

Kandiah Memorial Awards

Recognising outstanding research contributions in Chemistry by postgraduate students and Graduate Chemists in Sri Lanka, in memory of Professor A. Kandiah.

Professor A. Kandiah

Celebrating Research Excellence

The Kandiah Memorial Awards are presented annually to recognise outstanding research contributions in Chemistry carried out by postgraduate students and Graduate Chemists in Sri Lanka.

The awards commemorate Professor A. Kandiah, the first President of the Chemical Society of Ceylon, who served the University of Ceylon from 1933 to 1951 and held the position of Professor of Chemistry until his passing.

Scope of the Awards

The awards recognise the best research contributions in Chemistry carried out by students registered for postgraduate degrees by coursework and/or research at Higher Educational Institutions in Sri Lanka.

The research work should principally be carried out in Sri Lanka. Special analyses or investigations that are not available locally may be considered where such work represents less than 20% of the findings.

The awards also recognise outstanding postgraduate research undertaken by Graduate Chemists registered with the Institute.

The Kandiah Awards

From 2006 onwards, three Kandiah Memorial Awards have been presented annually, each recognising excellence in a different area of Chemistry.

●

Bronze Medal

Each award comprises a Bronze Medal.

Rs

Rs. 15,000/-

A cash prize is awarded with each medal.

★

Award Lecture

Recipients are invited to deliver the Kandiah Memorial Award Lecture at the Institute's Annual Sessions.

From 2006 onwards

From 2006 onwards, there have been three Kandiah Memorial Awards. The three current categories are listed below, with recipients shown in descending chronological order.

3

Three Current Award Categories

Basic Chemistry  •  Applied Chemistry  •  Graduateship

B

Kandiah Award for Basic Chemistry

Research predominantly in Basic Chemistry, including Organic, Inorganic, Physical and Analytical Chemistry.

2023
Mr. W. M. Priyantha Samarasinghe
2017
Mr. M Qader
2016
Ms. N S Bopage
2012
Ms. P K V Ranji
2008
Ms. N R Amarasinghe
2007
Ms. K P N Piyasena
A

Kandiah Award for Applied Chemistry

Research in Chemistry-related areas including polymer, food, biochemistry, biotechnology and interdisciplinary research.

2026
Ms. Saranya Selvaraj Lavan
2023
Mr. S Keerthanan
2022
Ms. B M Y D E Amarasekara
2020
Ms. E A C Priyadarshani
2017
Ms. C L Kehelpannala
2016
Ms. A G A W Alakolange
2008
Dr. K K G M P B Herath
2007
Ms. K P N Piyasena
G

Kandiah Memorial Graduateship Award

Best research in Chemical Sciences carried out by a Graduate Chemist registered with the Institute and pursuing postgraduate study.

2025
Ms. W A D Latheesha S Abeywardana
2020
Ms. T C T Peiris
2017
Ms. K S S P Fernando
2016
Ms. D Thanabalasingam
2015
Mr. Dilanka Fernando, Prof. Preethi de Soyza
2010
Mr. N D A Wageesha
2006
Mr. A A P Keerthi, Ms. M T Napagoda

Before 2006

Prior to the introduction of the three current award categories in 2006, the Kandiah Memorial Awards were presented under the earlier award structure.

The historical record includes the Kandiah Memorial Award, Kandiah Memorial Award I and Kandiah Memorial Award II. These awards form an important part of the history of the Kandiah Memorial Awards and are presented below in descending chronological order.

Kandiah Memorial Award

Earlier Kandiah Memorial Award

1979
Mr. N P D Nanayakkara
1970
Mr. R Somanathan
1970
Mr. S P Gunasekera

Kandiah Memorial Award I

Earlier award category for research conducted at a Higher Educational Institution

2005
Dr. U G Chandrika
2001
Ms. T S Malalavidhane
2001
Ms. V M Thadhani
2001
Ms. Ranjala Ratnayaka
2000
Dr. Kayalvili Alagesan
1996
Mr. J P N Jayaweera
1992
Mr. J H M U L B Jayasinghe
1988
Dr. W R Wimalasiri
1987
Dr. R A Dkumarawickrama
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

Kandiah Memorial Award II

Earlier award category for research conducted at an institution other than a Higher Educational Institution

2005
Ms. K Kalhari
2001
Ms. P S Athukoralage
2000
Ms. A M A Priyadarshani
1999
Ms. W M N M Wijesinghe
1993
Ms. W M A P Wanigasekera
1992
Ms. G V Mallika
1989
Ms. D D Abeygunasekera
1986
Mr. S J Sarath Kumara
1982
Mr. R Devendra

Assessment Criteria

Research contributions are assessed using a combination of scholarly publications, patents and research communications.

Publications

  • SCI/SCIE publications may receive up to 3 points per publication, together with marks for indexing.
  • Other peer-reviewed journal publications may receive up to 2 points per publication.
  • Communications and abstracts may receive up to 1 point per abstract.

Patents & Research Impact

  • International patents may receive up to 10 points per patent.
  • Local patents may receive up to 5 points per patent.
  • The assessment recognises the overall contribution and quality of the research work.

Recognition at the Annual Sessions

Recipients of the Kandiah Memorial Awards are invited to deliver the “Kandiah Memorial Award Lecture” at the Institute's Annual Sessions, providing an opportunity to share their research contributions with the wider scientific community.