International Conference on Frontiers in Chemical Technology 2020

Organised by the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon to be held from 20-22 July, 2020

The Institute of Chemistry Ceylon ( IChemC), the successor to the Chemical Society of Ceylon, has been committed to maintaining and uplifting the profession of Chemistry in Sri Lanka for over forty years.

The International Conference on “Frontiers in Chemical Technology 2020 ( FCT- 2020)” is an initiative of the Institute and is scheduled to be from 20-22 July 2020 at the Institute Premises in Rajagiriya.

The conference will focus on technological developments under the domains of Innovations in drug discovery and development, Modern challenges in environmental and green technology, Alternative energy sources for sustainable development, Genomics and metabolomics, Innovative strategies in chemical education, Nanotechnology for sustainable development, Engineering technology in the chemical industry, Electrochemical and sensor technology, Chemical technology in food and agroindustry and Cosmeceutical, nutraceutical, and herbal product industry.

Through FCT-2020, the organizers hope to render support to enhance the chemical and applied industries in Sri Lanka. By joining hands with successful industrialists and multifaceted scientists the Institute hopes to provide a platform for companies to commercialize their products.

Moreover, in the Sri Lankan context, it is believed that to fight against the economic crises that we have faced, discussion and awareness of novel technologies are crucial. The introduction of latest technological innovations to the chemical industry, establishing a platform for chemical inventors to commercialize their inventions, paving a means of bringing economic benefits to the country, updating the chemical society on frontiers in chemical technology, provoking interest in young chemists towards developments in chemical technology, and providing an opportunity for the professional development of women chemists are the specific aims that the organizers’ aspire to satisfy.

Under the prevailing pandemic in our country, the organizing committee of FCT-2020 has offered authors the option of either joining via a webinar session or participating for the technical sessions held physically at the Institute. There were over 130 abstract submissions from local institutions such as University of Kelaniya, University of Sri

Jayewardenepura, University of Ruhuna, University of Peradeniya, University of Colombo, University of Moratuwa, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Eastern University of Sri Lanka, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Uva Wellassa University, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology, National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Industrial Technology Institute, Institute of Indigenous Medicine, Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board, etc. as well as foreign institutes placed in India, Russia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Bangladesh, USA, UK, and Israel. Thus, FCT-2020 will cater to about four hundred participants joining either via physically or online webinar session.

Renowned resource persons from both Sri Lanka and abroad will be participating in FCT- 2020 on all three days. Prof. Janitha Liyanage, Vice-Chairperson of the University Grants Commission, shall be gracing the event as the Chief Guest. Prof. Leslie Gunatilaka, Director, Natural Products Centre, University of Arizona, USA, Prof. Ashok Pandey from the CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, India, Dr. Sarah Thomas from Royal Society of Chemistry, UK, Prof. Neelakanthi Gunawardena, Director, Semiochem Lanka (Private) Ltd, Prof. Amelia P Rauter, International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry are eminent individuals who will be delivering Keynote addresses on versatile areas of their expertise. The plenary speakers are renowned academics from Universities in Sri Lanka, India, USA, Japan, and having affiliations with institutions such as the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. A poster presentation session will be held on the second day of the Conference and a special technical session dedicated for the Women Chemists of Sri Lanka will be held on the third day.

The international conference on Frontiers in Chemical Technology 2020 is chaired by Prof. Priyani Paranagama, President of the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon. The Editor in Chief is Prof. Kapila Seneviratne, Professor, University of Kelaniya and the position of conference secretary is held by Dr. Sameera R Gunatilake, Senior Lecturer, Institute of Chemistry Ceylon.

Samadhi Nawalage Project Assistant- FCT 2020