The 19th Convocation of the College of Chemical Sciences, Institute of Chemistry Ceylon was held on the 22nd of November 2023 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH). Prof. Gamini Rajapaksha, a senior professor in chemistry and an eminent researcher at the University of Peradeniya graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. This event marked the graduation of the second batch of B.Sc. (Hons) in Chemical Sciences which comprised 59 graduates from the B.Sc. (Hons.) in Chemical Science program, 114 B.Sc. graduates from the Graduateship in Chemistry (GIC) program, 50 Diplomates from the Diploma in Laboratory Technology (DLT) and 14 diplomates from Diploma in Chemistry.
Overall and subject prizes were also awarded to graduates who excelled in different theory and practical aspects of chemistry during their academic years in the institute. The Council Members of the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon, Emeritus and Senior Professors, Senior Lecturers, Administrative staff of the Institute of Chemistry, Teaching Assistants, Parents and well-wishers were among the attendees. The chief guest, Prof. Gamini Rajapaksha delivered the convocation address, based on the mineral resources of Sri Lanka and their utilization in scientific research. The event concluded with the valedictory speeches delivered by Mr. M. A. N. U. Malaweera Archchi, Mr. G. K. Kumara, and Ms. K. S. T. C. Rangadari who won the overall best performance awards for B.Sc. (Hons.) in Chemical Science, GIC and DLT programs, respectively. - Dilhan Jayasinghe