Dr Gamini Dharmasena delivered a speech on “A Journey through the Eyes of an Underwater Robot” at the 11th session of the Vice Chancellor’s Lecture Series on February 19, at the Senate Room of the University of Peradeniya. He is a senior electronics engineer of the BlueHalo VideoRay LLC, USA and the general secretary of the University of Peradeniya Alumni Association at the United States of America. In his speech, he highlighted remotely operated vehicles, main challenges in developing underwater robots, unmanned surface vehicles, applications of the robot in aquaculture, underwater research, and defence, with a demonstration of the underwater robot.

It was followed by an interactive discussion with the audience. During his visit to the University of Peradeniya, he donated an underwater robot model to the Department of Physics, Faculty of Science for educational purposes. The audience included Acting Vice Chancellor Prof Ranjith Pallegama, Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor, the Deans of the Faculties, as well as academic and non-academic staff and students. The Vice Chancellor’s Lecture Series provides the university community with an opportunity to engage with and learn from eminent speakers and professionals in their respective fields of expertise. It serves as a platform for intellectual enrichment, fostering an exchange of ideas and knowledge within the academic community.