Who are the Sri Lankans changing the world?

How innovative are our Sri Lankans? Here’s a list of Sri Lankan innovators who are changing the game and creating history! Their innovations have been powerful in transforming societies and creating positive change. These Sri Lankan innovators have made their mark in the international arena with their passion, talent and creativity across various fields.

Suranga Nanayakkara

 

Suranga founded the “Augmented Human Lab” (https://ahlab.org/) in 2011, exploring designing intelligent human-computer interfaces that extend the limits of perceptual and cognitive capabilities. His work is most important to those who face challenges in functioning in the world due to sensory deficits in hearing or vision.

He is also known for his work on EyeRing – a finger-worn interface for seamless interactions such as gestures; Haptic Chair – an audiovisual system to provide a more satisfying musical experience to deaf people; and StickEars – a sound-based sticky note like device to make everyday objects more accessible.  Each StickEar sensor node consists of a miniature microphone and speaker to provide sound-based input/output capabilities.

He has won many awards, including the Young Inventor Under 35 (TR35 award) in the Asia Pacific region by MIT TechReview, Outstanding Young Persons of Sri Lanka (TOYP), and INK Fellowship 2016.

Ranga Dias

Dr. Dias is an internationally recognised scientist whose research focuses on probing quantum phenomena under extreme pressures and temperatures.

He played a significant role in discovering Atomic Metallic Hydrogen H2 (solid), the rarest metal on Earth, in 2016 and 2017. The discovery was the result of the joint research activities of Issac Silvera and Ranga Dias.

A team led by Dr. Ranga Dias discovered the world’s first ever room-temperature superconductor. This revolutionary discovery in physics solved the long-standing struggle of physicists to create a superconductor at room temperature.

Rakitha Malewana

Rakitha Malewana’s work focuses largely on Medical and Molecular Biology research. Rakitha is famed for his award-winning work in developing successful therapies for HIV/AIDS and Leukemia.

His research using nanotechnology as a functional therapeutic drug on human leukemic cells won a bronze medal at the International Science Projects Olympiad 2014, held in Jakarta, Indonesia.

In 2012, Rakitha invented a unique method of irrigation water conservation. It won a merit award at the Stockholm Junior Water Prize National Competition.

In 2016, he won the prestigious Queen’s Young Leaders Award by the Royal Commonwealth Society for his social work on behalf of the HIV and AIDS positive community.

Manju Gunawardana

Gunawardana is a senior research scientist from Matara. One of his remarkable inventions was the Nano Bulb as a solution to curb the spread of influenza. The award-winning Sri Lankan researcher and inventor asserts that he has a possible solution to the Coronavirus and other airborne diseases.

The bulb with nano particles eliminates toxic particles, bacteria and viruses in the atmosphere. Gunawardena has a patent issued by the United States for this invention.

The nano bulb with its outer surface applied with nano particles can be fixed in bathrooms or the kitchen to destroy germs.

Dinesh Katugampala

He invented the world’s first radius meter – a device to find any sphere or arc radius. Prior to building the device, Katugampala came up with a mathematical formula to measure the radius of a part of a circle. His mathematical derivation is called the Square Dual Theorem and is the basis for the radius meter.

In 2009, he patented both his creation and the mathematical formula.

He also wants his Square Dual Theorem to be included in mathematics textbooks and taught in schools.

He invented the apparatus in 2008 while studying for his National Diploma in Technology (NDT) at the University of Moratuwa.

Dr Anupa Herath

Dr. Herath won the gold medal for his version of the laryngoscope in 2017, at the International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva, and received special congratulations from the jury. The ‘Video-Laryngoscope with Extended Functions’ that he produced has made intubation easier and saved many lives.

These Sri Lankan inventors have certainly made an impact on the real world with their inventions and hard work.  Although we only see the end product, each of them would be able to share unique stories of how much they struggled to achieve success. The tremendous impact of their past inventions, and those that are yet to come, on transforming the future is truly admirable. Indeed, without our great inventors, the world would look pretty bleak, right? So, here’s a big thank you to our great inventors and creative minds – for beating all odds to solve many problems and make the world a much better place.

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