Nadun Naveendra Rajapaksha (Dharmaraja College, Kandy), Kelambi Arachchige Achira Hansindu (Mahinda College, Galle) and Manujaya Praveen Wijesinghe (Royal College, Colombo) won bronze medals at the 53rd International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) competition 2021. Dinithi Shalika Madhubhashini (Southlands College, Galle) also won an honorable mention at IChO 2021. The competition was hosted by Japan from 25th July to 2nd August and the theory examination was conducted as a remote examination on 28th July 2021. A total of 312 highly talented high school students from 79 countries participated in the IChO 2021.
In Sri Lanka, the remote theory examination was conducted at the Headquarters of the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon, Rajagiriya. The four best performers of the National Chemistry Olympiad competition held on 30th May 2021 were selected to the team that represented Sri Lanka in the IChO 2021. The team was trained by the Senior Lecturers from the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon and Universities. Dr Chinthaka Ratnaweera (Senior Lecturer, University of Ruhuna) and Dr Ireshika De Silva (Senior Lecturer, University of Colombo) were the mentors of the Sri Lankan team.
This is indeed a remarkable achievement as Sri Lanka participated in the IChO for the second time in history. Chemistry Olympiad Sri Lanka committee would like to congratulate the winners for bringing glory to the country.
Dr Ireshika De Silva
Chairperson
Chemistry Olympiad Sri Lanka