The Committee for the Popularization of Science (CPS) of the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS) in collaboration with the SLIIT Kandy Uni and the Kandy Education Zone organized a Science Day programme at the SLIIT Kandy Uni premises on the 20th of March 2024, with the participation of 250 students representing 12 selected schools of the Kandy education zone. Students from Gurudeniya Vidyalaya, D. S. Senanayaka Vidyalaya, Berrewaerts Vidyalaya, Mailapitiya Vidyalaya, Dharmawickrama Balika Vidyalaya, Gothami Balika Vidyalaya, Siddhartha Vidyalaya, Wariyapola Sri Sumangala Vidyalaya, Seethadevi Balika Vidyalaya, Widyaloka Vidyalaya, Lumbini Vidyalaya and Badiuddin Vidyala, participated in the event. The programme consisted of different activities including interactive sessions and a quiz programme, which were conducted by members of the CPS and invited speakers who are academics representing public and private universities of Sri Lanka. Prof. Ashani Tillekaratne, the Chairperson of CPS, and a Professor at the University of Colombo, addressed the gathering introducing CPS and SLAAS to the students and the teachers, and briefing the purpose of the science day programme.

Prof. Charitha Jayaruk from the SLIIT conducted an interactive session on career pathways available to students who follow science and technology streams in G.C.E. Advanced Level. In that, he discussed how to select subjects in the A/L science and technology stream to enter and study different degree programmes offered by Sri Lankan universities. Further, he emphasized the higher educational opportunities and the job opportunities available in the local and international sectors. Prof. Jayantha Welihinda, a retired professor from the University of Colombo, discussed obesity in which he emphasized the causes and the scientific background behind obesity and how to prevent obesity by controlling food intake. It was indeed an interesting session for all the participants. The next presentation was delivered by Dr. Prasadi de Silva, from the University of Colombo, on the Identification of Domestic Animal Diseases. She talked about some diseases which can be transmitted from animals to humans (zoonotic) such as Rabies, Leptospirosis and Parasitic diseases.

Furthermore, the audience received awareness on how to identify the disease symptoms and what measures to be taken for the prevention and control of the diseases. She concluded the presentation by giving a take-home message “Healthy pets lead to a healthy society”. Dr. Madhawa Herath, and Mr. Bhanuka Dayawansa, from the SLIIT, conducted an interactive session on Robotics that the school students very enthusiastically attended in which they were exposed to real robots. The quiz programme was held in two rounds. In the first round, all students faced a written quiz, and the two best teams were selected for the final round. The final round, which was an oral quiz, was the highlight of the programme. The team representing Seethadevi Balika Vidyalaya secured the first place and the team from Gothami Balika Vidyalaya won the second place. The certificates to the winning team will be awarded at the Ceremonial Inauguration of the Annual Sessions of SLAAS which will be held in December 2024. The memories of the event were captured into photographs by Dr. Pasan Bandara, Secretary of CPS. Media coverage was given by News First. The entire programme was sponsored by SLIIT and with their greatest support the event was concluded successfully.