Seasons’ Greetings!

The Executive Committee of CUFSAA-NA wishes you all a Happy, Healthy and a Peaceful Sinhala and Tamil New Year!

Synthetic and Drug Discovery Lab in Progress

Thanks to your generous donations of US$40,397.97 and the commitment and dedication from Prof. Nalin de Silva and his staff and faculty, the establishment of the Synthetic Chemistry and Drug Discovery laboratory is now almost complete. See the transformation in progress of a room located on the ground floor next to CAMD, untouched for 40 years and filled with chemicals, solvent barrels and other junk into a beautiful research laboratory.

Establishment of Natural Resources-based Nanofabrication and Microelectronic Core Facility in Sri Lanka

CUFSAA is actively supporting the creation of a core facility dedicated to nanofabrication using natural resources in Sri Lanka. The first phase of this initiative involves a fundraising goal of $30,000 (Total Raised: $20,302.79 as of March 31, 2026), which is specifically aimed at purchasing the essential equipment needed to begin laboratory operations.

The facility will initially be established at the Physics Department of the University of Colombo. It will bring together faculty from both the University of Colombo and the University of Moratuwa, with plans to expand involvement to faculty and students from universities throughout Sri Lanka.

Those who are interested in contributing to the development of this important facility are encouraged to use the provided link to make a donation and support the advancement of nanofabrication research in Sri Lanka (https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=ULACK4F47XUGY).

Photo: Dr. Luckshitha Suriyasena Liyanage, Principal Investigator of the project, and Prof. I.M.K. Fernando, Head of the Physics Department, along with students, meet with CUFSAA members Prof. L.M.V. Tillekeratne (Founder President) and Prof. Saliya de Silva (President-Elect) during their recent visit. (Photo Credit: Dr. Luckshitha Suriyasena Liyanage)

Launch Pad Student Grant Program

CUFSAA continues to support students in the science faculty through its Launch Pad Student Grant Program. This initiative provides annual grants of $360 to students who are experiencing severe economic hardships, offering crucial financial assistance to help them pursue their studies. In 2025, thirty-six students were selected to receive these grants, reflecting the organization’s ongoing commitment to student welfare and academic success.

Fundraising efforts are currently underway to secure additional resources for the 2026 grant cycle. Individuals interested in learning more about the program or supporting this important initiative are encouraged to visit the following link for further details and donation information: https://www.cufsaa.com/launch-pad/.

High Performance Computer Workstations to Plant Science and Physics Departments

CUFSAA recognizes the growing importance of advanced computing resources for research and education in fields such as computational materials, molecular dynamics, and bioinformatics. In response to this need, efforts are underway to raise $15,000 for the acquisition of three high-performance computer workstations. These workstations are intended for the Physics and Plant Science Departments, where they will play a crucial role in expanding both student learning opportunities and research capabilities.

Currently, approximately $4,000 has been raised toward this goal, and CUFSAA seeks further support from the community to secure the remaining funds needed to complete this important initiative. Those who are interested in contributing to this initiative, please contact CUFSAA at info@cufsaa.org.

SciFac Student Laptop Loaner Program

Computer Science is taken by almost all students (over 600 from level 1 & about 500 from level 2). UoC offers four CS courses in level 1 and 2, and computational techniques are embedded in many other faculty courses. Unfortunately, many students cannot afford to buy laptops and they don’t get the maximum benefit from the courses. CUFSAA has partnered with SciFac in establishing a Student Laptop Loaner Program with an initial pool of 20-25 laptops and make them available to students for specific activities (courses, exams, thesis, etc.).

To-date, we have purchased 11 laptops to be sent to the science faculty via volunteers visiting Sri Lanka. A few of them have already been donated to the science faculty. We need three more volunteers who are interested in taking a computer to the Science Faculty if you are visiting Sri Lanka during April-May, 2026. Our sincere appreciation and thanks to our donors and all those who volunteered to take a computer to Sri Lanka.

Enhancing Undergraduate Learning at the Physics Department

The Physics Department faced significant challenges as many fundamental laboratory experiments and their associated equipment, including those used for the Zeeman effect experiment, e/m ratio determination, and the Fabry-Perot interferometer, became unusable or irreparable. These experiments are essential for providing students with hands-on experience and maintaining the department’s high academic standards.

CUFSAA gratefully acknowledges the generous contributions of its donors, which enabled the successful acquisition and delivery of new laboratory equipment valued at $23,800 for the Physics Department. This timely support enabled the continuation of these important experiments, ensuring that the department can maintain its tradition of academic excellence and provide students with the practical training necessary for their studies.

Gold Medals and Scholarships

Gold Medals and Scholarships: CUFSAA continued its gold medal(s) and scholarship(s) program which was established to honor former professors (Professor M.L.T. Kannangara, Professor Valentine Joseph, and Professor L.M.V. Tillekeratne) and awarded five scholarships and gold medals in 2025. A gold medal was also awarded for the special degree program in computational chemistry.

CUFSAA Distinguished Speaker Series

CUFSAA continues its Distinguished Speaker Series, a program dedicated to empowering students by enhancing their scientific knowledge. Through this initiative, students have the opportunity to learn about the latest advancements in research from leading experts across a variety of scientific fields. In addition to sharing groundbreaking research findings, the series also provides valuable insights and guidance on career development, helping students to make informed decisions about their future paths. The upcoming program is scheduled to begin in April 2026, and CUFSAA encourages everyone to stay tuned for further details and announcements.

The organizing sub-committee would like to thank everyone for attending the seminars and is looking forward for your continuous support in 2026. We welcome suggestions and comments on specific topics or speakers. Please reach out to us at speaker-series@cufsaa.org.

You you can view the details of the completed lectures of the series via the speaker series webpage and access the recorded lectures via the Speaker Series Youtube Channel.

How to Become a member of the Colombo University Science Faculty Alumni Association- North America

It is easy! There are no Fees or Dues!!

Please visit CUFSAA website (cufsaa.com) and fill out the online membership form. The link to the page is https://www.cufsaa.com/membership-form/

Alternatively, you can email info@cufsaa.org the following details about you.

1. Name
2. Postal Address
3. Telephone Numbers
4. Email Address
5. Nature of Association with the Faculty of Science of the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Tell if you were a staff member, undergraduate student, graduate student, etc..)
6. Duration of your association. Please let us know the beginning and ending year of your association.

Thanks!
CUFSAA

Newsletter Editorial Policy: CUFSAA welcomes news articles about the University of Colombo Science Faculty alumni for potential inclusion in our newsletter, website or both. The news item must be about alumni and submitted by a member or members of CUFSAA. The editorial committee is especially interested in professional achievements, outstanding contributions, and notable recognition of alumni.The editorial committee reserves the rights to edit the submission as deemed necessary for publication and to make the final decision on the acceptance. Please submit your articles via email to info@cufsaa.org. Please note that the editorial committee, if needed in consultation with the CUFSAA executive committee, makes the final decision on the acceptance of the article and where it would appear. Please visit, CUFSAA Newsletter Article Acceptance Policy page on our website for additional information. Thank you!

About Us: Colombo University Faculty of Science Alumni Association – North America (CUFSAA-NA), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization incorporated in the state of New Jersey, is formed exclusively for social, charitable, and educational purposes to foster, maintain and support a mutually beneficial relationship between the alumni of the Colombo University, Faculty of Science living in North America, The University of Colombo, and the community at large. Your contributions to CUFSAA-NA may be tax deductible. Join us and support these worthy causes. Send an email to info@cufsaa.org.

CUFSAA Newsletter Committee
Colombo University Science Faculty Alumni Association