Stage III of UESL-2025, jointly organized by the Center for Environmental Sustainability (CES), igt²ÊƱ (UoP), the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences (RCEES) at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), China, the Joint Research and Demonstration Center (JRDC), Peradeniya, and the Hand Institute of Environmental Observation, China, was held at JRDC on March 25, 2025. The event coincided with the celebration of the 10th Anniversary of China-Sri Lanka Water Technology Cooperation.
Eleven undergraduate students, selected from a group of 260 applicants across sixteen Sri Lankan state universities during Stage I (online) and Stage II (on-site) of the training program, participated in Stage III of the program. In Stage III, participants were tasked with proposing innovative and scientific solutions to critical water-related environmental challenges in Sri Lanka.
Proposed solutions included phytoremediation techniques, IoT-based solutions, and hybrid bio-physical filtration systems, among others. The proposals were assessed by a panel of esteemed scientists from both China and Sri Lanka. The panel was co-chaired by Prof. Qu Jiuhui, Academician and Professor at RCEES, and Prof. Ranjith Pallegama, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of UoP. Other panel members included Prof. Yang Min, RCEES; Prof. Xingcan Zheng, North China Municipal Engineering Design and Research Institute Co., Ltd; Ms. Xie Chengcheng, Hand Institute of Environmental Observation; Prof. Namal Priyantha, Department of Chemistry, UoP; Prof. Rohan Chandrajith, Department of Geology, UoP; and Dr. Madhubashini Makehelwela, JRDC. The session was moderated by Prof. Wei Yuansong, RCEES, and Dr. Nalin Suranjith, CES, UoP.
Ms. Nadeesha Priyanjalee (UoP), Ms. Sanduni Smarakoon (UoP), Ms. Mandara Silva (University of Colombo), Ms. Sewmini Laksiri (Ocean University of Sri Lanka), and Ms. Samanmalee Dassanayake (Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka) were named winners by the panel. They were awarded a fully sponsored two-week fellowship at RCEES and a cash prize of USD 200, sponsored by the Hand Institute of Environmental Observation, China.
The runners-up included Ms. Thilini Madushanika (University of Jaffna), Mr. Praveen Sebastian (University of Jaffna), Mr. Sanjula Panagoda (University of Sri Jayewardenepura), Mr. Isuru Kodithuwakku (Rajarata University of Sri Lanka), Ms. Pradeepa Wijesinghe (Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka), and Ms. Rashmi Perera (igt²ÊƱ). They received a cash prize of USD 100, also sponsored by the Hand Institute of Environmental Observation, China.
Prof. Terence Madhujith, who attended the award ceremony as the chief guest, highlighted the significance of programs like UESL in empowering the youth of Sri Lanka. He also elaborated on the igt²ÊƱ’s commitment to environmental sustainability. Finally, he congratulated all the winners and commended RCEES, CAS, the Hand Institute of Environmental Observation, CES, and JRDC for organizing a successful program.
