About us

SLBTA

Objectives

  • Ensure that biotechnology is recognized by the government as a priority sector in its economic development plans.
  • Promote socially responsible, economically productive, and environmentally sound ethical applications of biotechnology.
  • Foster collaboration and partnership among the state, industry, academia, research institutes, entrepreneurs and private sector to promote biotech manufacturing and service industry and impact Sri Lanka’s ranking in global innovation indices.
  • Stimulate and encourage interdisciplinary/ transdisciplinary state and the private sector research & innovation, technology transfer, and entrepreneurship in biotechnology, nationally, regionally, and internationally for an export-centric bio economy.
  • Obtain membership in international biotech organizations and establish close collaboration with international organizations with similar interests.
  • Serve in an advisory capacity on biotech policy, and partner with the state, the private sector and international development agencies to develop a national biotech ecosystem, and to create a positive regulatory environment for the biotechnology sector.
  • Provide recommendations on the dynamic requirements of biotech human capital, infrastructure development and necessary processes in Sri Lanka, aligning with global trends and markets.
  • Promote biotech education / outreach to create awareness and understanding in the public, school and university communities, and other relevant social groups through diverse programs.
  • Improve the understanding of bioethical, biosafety, and biosecurity concerns of biotechnology among the scientific community and the general public.

SLBTA TEAM

Advisory Board

Prof. Roshan Perera

General President

Chairman, Coconut Development Authority, Narahenpita

-

Immediate Past General President

NA

 

Prof. Nirmali Wickramaratna

General President-elect

Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka

Dr. Preethi Udagama

advisor (local)

Department of Zoology and Environment Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Colombo

Prof. Sirimali Fernando

advisor (local)

Professor and Chair of Microbiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura

Prof. Sirimal Premakumara

advisor (local)

Department of Basic Science & Social Science, Faculty of Nursing/ Former Chairman & DG – ITI (CISIR)

Prof. Malik Peiris

Advisor (overseas)

Tam Wah-Ching Professor in Medical Science, Professor, Chair of Virology, Division of Public Health Laboratory Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Hong Kong

Prof. Shervanthi Homer-Vanniasinkam

Advisor (overseas)

Director, Translational aspects, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University College London

Prof. Pathmalal M Manage

Committee Member

Vice-chancellor, University of Sri Jayewardenepura

Mrs. Thilaka Jayasundara

Committee Member

Secretary, Ministry of Education

Mr. Ariyaseela Wickeramanayake

Committee Member

Chairman, Pelwatte Diary Industries Ltd

Prof. Athula Perera

Committee Member

Prof. Emeritus, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya

Prof. Sumedha Wijeratne

Committee Member

General Manager, Vindana Reproductive Health Center

-

Committee Member

Research Scientist,
Research National Aquatic Resource Agency

-

Committee Member

Professor,
Faculty of Applied Science,
Uva Wellassa University

SLBTA TEAM

council Members

Executive COMMITEE

Prof. Roshan Perera

General President

Chairman, Coconut Development Authority, Narahenpita

Prof. Nirmali Wickramaratna

General President-elect

Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka

Dr. Ruwani Mayakaduwa

Joint
General Secretary

Senior Lecturer, Department of Plant Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Colombo

Dr. S

Joint
General Secretary

Department of Zoology and Environment Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Colombo

Dr. Chandanamali Punchihewa

Secretary
International relations

CEO & Chief Scientist, Genelabs Medical (Pvt) Ltd

Prof. Chamari Hettiarachchi

Treasurer

Professor, Dept. of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Colombo

Dr. Praneeth Ratnayake

Assistant Treasurer

Department of Zoology and Environment Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Colombo

Dr. Meran Keshawa Ediriweera

Editor

Senior Lecturer, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo

Ms. Chathurika Perera

Assistant Editor

Assistant Director, Coconut Development Authority, Coconut Development Authority, Narahenpita

NA

Immediate Past General President

NA

MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL