‘New Look’ in China-Sri Lanka Bilateral Scientific Cooperation
The first joint workshop between National Science Foundation (NSF) of Sri Lanka and National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) organized by Research Centre for Eco- Environmental Sciences ( RCEES), Chinese Academy of Sciences ( CAS) CAS- TWAS Center of Excellence for Water and Environment (CAS-TWAS CEWE) was held from 4th to 7th of July 2017 in Beijing, China under the theme “Climate Change Adaptation, Environment and Health”. It aimed to help resolving issues of livelihood i. e. CKDu, water security and promoting scientific exchange and corporation in the fields of climate change adaptation, environment and health between two countries. Officials from State Ministries, Universities, research institutes and hospitals representing Science & Technology, Health Sciences, Water Science and Technology, Environmental Sciences categories from both countries attended the programme.
Sri Lankan delegation for the event was headed by Hon. Minister of Science, Technology and Research Susil Premajayantha accompanied with Prof. Rohan Weerasooriya from University of Peradeniya as the Chairperson, Prof. Sirimali Fernando, Mr. Wasantha Anuruddha, Ms. Thilinakumari Kandanamulla, Prof. Rezvi Sheriff and Dr. Palitha Abeykoon from National Science Foundation, Prof. Rohana Chandrajith, Prof. Nimal Gunawardhana, Prof. Gemunu Bandara Herath and Dr. J. Edirisinghe from University of Peradeniya, Prof. Sisira Ediriweera from Uva Wellassa University, Dr. Sachie Panawala and Prof. Ajith De Alwis from Coordinating Secretariat for Science, Technology and Innovation ( COSTI), Dr. Eranga Wijewickrama from National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Dr. Indika Jagoda, Prof. Saroj Jayasinghe and Prof. Chandu De Silva from University of Colombo, Dr. Chulani Herath from Sri Lanka Society of Nephrologists, Dr. Asanga Ranasinghe, Dr. Pubudu De Silva and Dr. Sunil Bernard De Alwis from Ministry of Health and Dr. Abdul Hafeez and Mr. A. C. M. Nafeel from Ministry of City Planning and Water Supply.
The workshop provided a good platform for the participants to network and discuss on research topics of mutual interest under the broad themes of ‘ Health and Water Research’ in order to prepare joint research proposals for funding by both Sri Lanka and China. Conference speeches were made under three topics including “Environment and Chronic Kidney Disease”, “Safe Drinking Water” and “Climate Change Adaptation and Water Resource Management”.
At the inauguration, keynote lectures on China-Sri Lanka Cooperation on Tackling CKDu: Progress and Action Plan, An Overview of Health Challenges in Sri Lanka and NSF Research Programme in Health Sciences, Environment and Kidney Diseases, Extreme Floods, Droughts and Adaptive Management under Climate Change in China were delivered by Prof. Min Yang, Prof. Rezvi Sheriff and Dr. Palitha Abeykoon, Minghui Zhao, and Jun Xia respectively.
Congqiang Liu, Vice President, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Hon. Susil Premajayantha, Minister of Science, Technology and Research, Sri Lanka, Prof. Sirimali Fernando, Chair person, National Science Foundation, Sri Lanka, and Jinghua Cao, Director General, Bureau of International Cooperation, Chinese Academy of Sciences also spoke at the event.
Further, participants were accompanied in a technical tour at Beijing Center for Diseases Prevention and Control ( CDC), Peking University First Hospital, Research Centre for Eco- Environmental Sciences, CAS and Water Supply Plant and Wastewater Treatment Plant in Beijing. The workshop was sponsored by National Natural Science Foundation of China and National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka and it was a historical event in the history of bilateral scientific cooperation between two countries.
The workshop was organized as a step towards to actively execute the MoU signed by His Excellency Li Keqiang, Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China and His Excellency Ranil Wickremasinghe, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka in 2016 while Sri Lankan PM in an official visit to People’s Republic of China. With this MoU two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in the fields of technology and agriculture. In particular, the two sides agreed to immediately commence the project on ‘Joint Research and Development Center on Safe Water Supply Technology. China is paying an interest to assist Sri Lanka in identifying factors causing ‘ Chronic Kidney Disease of unetiology (CKDu)’ which has recently become a critical socioeconomic issue to be solved urgently. As per the agreement, China will provide opportunities for Sri Lankan young scientists to visit China on shortterm assignments, to explore the latest technologies, etc in order to enhance the capacity building in Sri Lanka.
Kusala Madhushani Premaratne