NEWS
Sri Lankan scientist wins People’s Choice Award
Sri Lankan scientist Professor Charitha Pattiarachchi has been named the People’s Choice Winner at the 2025 Premier’s Science Awards in Western Australia.
Professor Pattiarachchi received Western Australia’s highest science honour in recognition of his exceptional contributions to scientific research at both national and international levels. He secured the award through an online public vote, earning 7,880 votes.
Now in their 24th year, the Premier’s Science Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in scientific research and contributions to STEM disciplines across Western Australia.
A coastal oceanographer at the University of Western Australia, Professor Pattiarachchi is globally regarded as a leading expert in his field. His groundbreaking research using advanced techniques such as ocean gliders has led to key discoveries related to dense shelf water transport, tsunami impacts, and the Leeuwin Current system.
He has also played a pivotal role in bridging scientific research with real-world applications by collaborating with government and industry partners to address sustainability, infrastructure development, and human security challenges.
Beyond his scientific accomplishments, Professor Pattiarachchi is celebrated as an inspiring mentor to emerging researchers.
He also has an impressive sporting background, having set several national records in swimming, water polo, and athletics. A former head prefect of Royal College (1976), he represented Sri Lanka from the age of 15, winning multiple gold and silver medals at school and national-level competitions.
The IORA Centre of Excellence (IORA COE) Steering Committee Meeting
The final meeting of the year 2025, was held on 29 December 2025 at the premises of the Ocean University of Sri Lanka with the participation of Executive Committee members. During the meeting, the importance of initiating a webinar series focusing on emerging and high-priority topics related to ocean affairs was discussed. In addition, it was decided to organize stakeholder meetings to gather views and inputs from relevant stakeholders. These stakeholder meetings are planned to be held at the premises of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
2nd Stakeolder Consultation Meeting of IORACOE
The Second Stakeholder Consultation Workshop of the IORA Centre of Excellence (IORA COE) was successfully conducted on 19 January 2026 at the Main Conference Hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The workshop saw active and meaningful engagement from key stakeholders representing the marine and maritime sectors. The discussions were highly constructive, and the valuable insights and recommendations shared by participants will play a crucial role in shaping and navigating the future scope and strategic direction of the IORA COE.
The Second webinar organized under the IORA COE webinar series
The second webinar organized under the IORA COE webinar series on “Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing: Regulations and Practices” was successfully completed, with the participation of more than 65 attendees from IORA Member Countries. The webinar was conducted by the Indian Ocean Rim Association Centre of Excellence (IORA COE) and featured Professor Erika Techera as the resource person. Professor Techera delivered an in-depth presentation highlighting international legal instruments, regional governance mechanisms, and practical challenges associated with addressing IUU fishing. The webinar facilitated meaningful discussions among participants from diverse professional backgrounds, enhancing regional awareness and capacity-building efforts to combat IUU fishing in the Indian Ocean region.
The Third webinar organized under the IORA COE webinar series
The third webinar on “Moisture Flux Impact of the Ditwah Tropical Cyclone on Rainfall and Floods in Sri Lanka” was successfully conducted with the participation of over 200 attendees. We were privileged to host Dongxiao Wang, Dean of the School of Marine Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University. His detailed and insightful presentation greatly enhanced participants’ understanding of the mechanisms, impacts, and wider implications of this extreme weather event.
Ocean University to Celebrate World Ocean Day 2026
The Ocean University of Sri Lanka celebrated World Ocean Day 2026 on 08th June 2026 at the University Auditorium under the global theme, “Strong Marine Protected Areas for Our Blue Planet.” The event is organized by the Indian Ocean Rim Association Centre of Excellence in collaboration with the Oceanography Club of the Ocean University of Sri Lanka.
World Ocean Day is observed annually to highlight the importance of oceans in sustaining life on Earth and to promote actions for the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources. This year’s theme emphasizes the critical role of Marine Protected Areas in preserving marine biodiversity, enhancing ecosystem resilience, and supporting sustainable livelihoods.
The program featured keynote addresses by Mr. Muditha Katuwawala, Founder of Pearl Protectors, and Prof. P. B. Terney Pradeep Kumara, Director General of the Department of Coastal Conservation and Coastal Resource Management. A panel discussion hold featuring distinguished experts from the marine and environmental sectors, including Rear Admiral (Retd) Y.N. Jayarathne, Former Chief Hydrographer of the Sri Lanka Navy; Mr. Arjan Rajasuriya, Marine Ecologist; Dr. N.P. Wijayananda, Chairman of the National Ocean Affairs Committee (NOAC); and Dr. K. Arulananthan, Former Director General of the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA). The discussion focused on current challenges and future directions in marine conservation and sustainable ocean governance.
The event was expected to bring together academics, researchers, government officials, environmental professionals, students and other stakeholders with an interest in marine and coastal resource management. Addition to this celebration, the beach cleanup project also conducted at the Crow Island beach.
Through this celebration, the Ocean University of Sri Lanka expected to raise public awareness on the importance of healthy oceans and inspire collective action towards protecting marine ecosystems for future generations.
