The International Conference on Applied and Pure Sciences 2020 (ICAPS 2020 -Kelaniya), organised by the Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya on a virtual platform, marked its successful conclusion on the 26^th of November 2020. The conference which was known as the International Research Symposium on Pure and Applied Sciences (IRSPAS) for the past four consecutive years, took on a new look this time, moving from a research symposium to an International Conference. It offered a forum for sharing best practices and exchanging ideas under four tracks that cater to the fields of Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Software Intensive Systems, while covering an extensive domain in Multidisciplinary research.  Centred around the theme, “Science, Technology and Innovation for Economic Recovery”, this year’s conference turned out be an event of timely importance while bringing into view a vital aspect in the rapid development of today’s world. The Chief Guest, Vice-Chancellor, Senior Cadre Chair and Senior Prof. Nilanthi de Silva, Dean- Faculty of Science, Senior Prof. Sudath Kalingamudali, Acting Chairman- Research Council, Cadre Chair and Senior Prof. N.P. Sunil Chandra, Conference Chair, Senior Lecturer, Dept. of Industrial Management, Dr. Annista Wijayanayake,  and Conference Secretary, Senior Lecturer, Department of Mathematics, Dr. Nadeeka Premarathne, are the distinguished guests who brought honour to the occasion with their esteemed presence.

Dean, Faculty of Science, Senior Professor, Sudath Kalingamudali made the opening remarks and welcome the virtual audience. Cadre Chair and Senior Prof. Nilanthi de Silva, Vice-Chancellor, University of Kelaniya graced the event as the Chief Guest and delivered her speech on the appropriateness of the conference while making an emphasis on how the contribution of science, technology and innovation at this time of crisis which is linked to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), is a key for facing current health challenges. The pandemic has revealed the need for an approach that goes beyond national borders and strengthens regional integration based on Science and Technology systems that link countries and their production systems. Humankind is racing towards finding vaccines and treatments that would allow for neutralizing the health impacts of the pandemic, and that is where joint and coordinated efforts become essential. Further she extended that the pandemic has forced us to adopt new ways of working, educating and relating to one another. In this crisis, the contribution of science, technology and innovation is immediate. Therefore, in these times of a pandemic, her speech called attention to the need to think about how we can address the current situation and the post COVID-19 situation as well.

 

The keynote Speaker, Professor Tilak Abeysinghe, who is  currently the Research Director of the Gamani Corea Foundation, Sri Lanka and Senior Research Adviser in the Asia Competitiveness Institute, National University of Singapore delivered his Keynote speech on science and technology that lifted the humankind above subsistence living. Further, he elaborated on economic fallout from disruptions to global value chain on Sri Lanka, is unlikely to be substantial because of Sri Lanka’s narrow global linkages. This may have come as a blessing in disguise during the pandemic because the economic shock of major hubs is not fully transmitted to the Sri Lankan economy. This, however, amounts to the old saying “a man sitting on the ground does not fall.” In the long run strong global linkages are immensely helpful not only in lifting the economy off the ground but also in sustaining a higher altitude. His presentation drew attention to four key aspects namely, Outlook for sectors of the Sri Lankan economy, Short-term relief and recovery, Labour productivity and long-term growth, and Riding on the Asian century.  Prof. Abeysinghe’s thought-provoking keynote speech set a perfect platform for the speakers to deliver their presentations in the technical sessions afterwards.

 

The Conference included presentations of 116 abstracts to stay along with the green concept in order to save the environment and save power, and for the first time in history of Faculty of Science, the proceedings were distributed in the softcopy format in card type USB flash drives. The research abstracts were presented in 17 technical sessions in a virtual setting, the discussions at the presentations were thought provoking and informative and there is no doubt that the minds of all participants would have been nourished with the innovative exchanges, ideas and words of wisdom from the learned audience.