Launching of the Sri Lanka National Chapter of the OWSD

SLNC-OWSD was established under the umbrella of the National Academy of Sciences of Sri Lanka (NASSL). Congratulatory messages received included messages from Prof Jennifer Thompson, President of the OWSD, Prof. Cheryl Praeger, Chair, Women in Science, Education and Engineering (WISE) Committee of the Association of Academies and Societies of Sciences in Asia (AASSA), and Prof. Andrew Holmes, President, National Academy of Sciences of Australia, Prof. Haseena Khan from Bangladesh, Prof. Azra Khanum from Pakistan and Prof. Anjana Singh from Nepal representing their respective National Academies of Sciences. Many other scientists from various national and international organizations including the President and Council members of the NASSL, representatives of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB, Italy) also graced the event and extended their heartiest wishes and support for the future activities of the SLNC-OWSD. The inaugural address at this occasion of launching the Sri Lanka National Chapter of OWSD was delivered by the eminent Sri Lankan female scientist Prof. Savitri Gunatilleke, Professor Emeritus, University of Peradeniya.

The logo designed for the Sri Lankan Chapter of the OWSD portrays a woman carrying a lamp surrounded by light rays. The hair bun symbolizes the Asian origin of the woman. The symbols ‘atom’ denotes science and ‘heart’ denotes devotion to family, compassion, and love. Illustrating both the atom and the heart in the head denotes the fact that a woman scientist has both her scientific knowledge and her compassionate and loving heart making her a guiding light (depicted by the lamp) to the family and others and brightening the world around her (depicted by the light rays surrounding the woman). The symbol atom is similar to the atom in the logo of the OWSD parent body denoting that the National Chapter is connected to the parent OWSD organization. Light rays are similar to that found in the logo of NASSL denoting its establishment under the umbrella of the NASSL.

Aim of the SLNC-OWSD is to promote female participation in science and technology, in scientific leadership and decision-making processes, both at national and international levels.

Professor Nadira Karunweera who spearheaded the establishment of SLNC-OWSD will serve as the inaugural President. The members of the executive committee look forward to working with the local and international scientists to achieve the aim of the SLNC-OWSD.