This award is made from the Professor M U S Sultanbawa Felicitation Fund, which was established on the occasion of his 75th birthday to recognize the unique, distinguished and significant contribution made to the cause of Science, Chemistry, Education and Research in Sri Lanka by Vidya Jyothi Professor Mohamed Uvais Siddeek Sultanbawa.
The award shall comprise a certificate, Medal and a sum of Rs. 15,000/-.
Marking scheme:
- Desk evaluation 30 marks
- Presentation 70 marks
Criteria
- This award shall be made annually for the best research paper presented at the Annual Sessions. The paper should be based on action research, not on a literature review of any kind, including a systematic review.
- The award is open to citizens of Sri Lanka who present research papers at the Annual Sessions, pertaining to work principally carried out and completed in Sri Lanka.
Those who wish to be considered for this award should submit a formal application via email using the prescribed form (Form D), along with the abstract and extended abstract, to reach the Honorary Secretary of the Institute of Chemistry and email the application documents to council@ichemc.edu.lk on or before 31st March 2026. Failure to submit the extended abstract in the manner required shall ipso facto result in disqualification for consideration for the award.
If more than one author is presenting the paper, the prescribed form should be submitted by an author who is a Corporate Member of the Institute. - Application from a member or a close relative of a member of the Awards Committee shall not be considered.
- Only those who obtain a minimum of 50% on the desk evaluation will be invited to make a presentation to be considered for the award.
- The Selection Committee shall decide on the award on the basis of the extended abstract submitted, the presentation made at the Annual Sessions, and the discussion subsequent to the presentation.
- The formal presentation at the Annual Sessions can be made by any author who is a Corporate/Graduate member of the Institute. However, all the authors would be able to answer questions and get involved in the discussion subsequent to the presentation.
- The award shall be presented at the Annual Sessions. Where there is more than one author for a paper, the award shall be made jointly, but presented to the Corporate Member who submits the prescribed form.
- Work previously presented and recognized for any award in Sri Lanka or abroad shall not be eligible for consideration for this award.
- The awardee shall submit an article based on the oral presentation for publication in “Chemistry in Sri Lanka” on or before 15th December 2026.
- The medium of communication shall be English.
- The decision of the Council on all matters pertaining to the award shall be final.
Professor Sultanbawa Award for Research in Chemistry Winners
1997 – Prof H D Gunawardhana, Mr A B Padmaperuma
2000 – Ms T S Malalavidhane, Ms S M D N Wickramasinghe, Prof E R Jansz
2003 – Dr M D P De Costa, Mr A P Jayasinghe
2004 – Dr P P M Jayaweera, Prof E R Jansz, Ms U G Chandrika
2007 – Mr A A P Keerthi, Prof E R Jansz, Dr S Ekanayake
2014 – Mr Dilanka Fernando, Prof Preethi de Soyza
2015 – Prof S Ekanayake, Dr P R D Perera, Prof K K D S Ranaweera
2016 – Dr Chayanika Padumadasa, Prof K S S P Fernando, Prof A M Abeysekera, Dr A K E Goonathilake, Dr V M Thadani, Prof U G Chandrika
2017 – Ms K Anoosheya, Dr T Gobika, Prof P A Paranagama, Prof A N Navarathne
2019 – Ms A A D T Abeysinghe, Dr N M S Sirimuthu, Prof P P R Perera
2020 – Dr P B Ratnaweera, Ms D P Hasini Madhushika, Ms J M N M Jayasundara, Prof E D de Silva
2021 – Ms I L Hettige, Prof Theshini Perera, Prof Inoka C Perera
2022 – Ms S H L D D Lekamge, Dr Isurika R Fernando
2024 Ms Y M P N Yapa, Prof. Imalka Munaweera