The Institute of Chemistry Ceylon (IChemC) commemorated two of the great chemists of Sri Lanka, Prof. J.N.O. Fernando and Prof. D.T.B. Tennakoon, on Wednesday. This year marks the 10th death anniversary of the late Prof. J.N.O. Fernando and 5th death anniversary of the late Prof. D.T.B. Tennakoon.
The Chief Guest at this year’s commemoration was Dr. Quintus Perera, a retired Professor of University of Peradeniya (UoP), and a close colleague of both of them. The wife of the late Prof. Tennakoon, Mrs. Vihara Tennakoon and few family members of the late professors graced the event in-person, while Mrs. Mandrupa Fernando, the beloved wife of the late Prof. Fernando and several members of her family joined the event via zoom from Canada.
The President of IChemC, Prof. Janitha Liyanage, Dean of the College, Prof. Chandani Perera, Past Presidents and many Members of IChemC were in attendance. Also, Senior Academics of various universities including the University of Peradeniya, Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL), University of Colombo (UoC), University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJ) and IChemC, and students attended the event.
Both late professors have contributed immensely towards the education sector of Sri Lanka, while serving in different ways towards the development of the country in various capacities. Prof. J.N.O. Fernando and Prof. D.T.B. Tennakoon were attached to OUSL and UoP, respectively; they served the respective universities with distinction. Both late Professors specialized on physical chemistry; they have published many research articles in reputed journals, while collaborating with other scientists of well-known universities.
The President of IChemC, Prof. Janitha Liyanage delivered the welcome address, while reminiscing the past memories of learning under the two late professors as an undergraduate of USJ. The immediate past President of IChemC, Prof. Namal Priyantha read the citation of the chief guest/ orator, Dr. Quintus Perera. He also mentioned the close relationship with the late Prof. Tennakoon as a teacher and a senior colleague at the Department of Chemistry, UoP.
Dr. Quintus Perera delivered the memorial oration on ‘Implications of Generative Artificial Intelligence on Undergraduate Chemistry Education’. He emphasized on the importance of constantly updating the knowledge in a rapidly changing world with the developments in artificial intelligence. Prof. Perera also mentioned the valuable contributions of Prof. Fernando and Prof. Tennakoon to the education sector of Sri Lanka, along with some fond memories with them.
M.R.M. Haniffa, a retired senior lecturer in chemistry at OUSL and a senior Member of IChemC made the concluding remarks with a display of a few old photographs which included himself, the two late professors and several other distinguished members of the audience.
As the architect of IChemC and founder of the College of Chemical Sciences (CCS), Prof. J.N.O. Fernando is a very special person to everyone at IChemC. The invaluable contributions of both late Professors will be remembered for many more generations to come.
By Dilhan Jayasinghe
Coordinator- Department of Applied Sciences,
Public Relations Officer,
IChemC
