Sri Lanka’s leading school-level science showcase, the ESPER Awards ’26, organised by the Science Society of D. S. Senanayake College, was held on 17 March at the Monarch Imperial, bringing together students, educators and industry leaders for an evening celebrating innovation, research and scientific excellence.

The event, recognised as one of the country’s premier science competitions for schools, aims to promote scientific thinking, research skills and innovation among students, while creating a platform to showcase projects with real-world application.

The ceremony was attended by Chief Guest Eranga Weeraratne, alongside Guests of Honour including Rosa, Sudath Samaraweera, Chairman of the National Science Foundation, and Rohan Samarajiva, former Chairman of the Information and Communication Technology Agency.

A key highlight of the evening was a panel discussion featuring entrepreneur Dhanika Perera, who shared insights on the theme “How to Turn Science and Innovation into Businesses that Generate Value.” The discussion focused on bridging the gap between academic research and commercial application, encouraging students to think beyond theory and explore entrepreneurship-driven innovation.

The competition segment of ESPER Awards ’26 saw strong participation from leading schools across the country, with projects evaluated on creativity, scientific rigour and practical impact. At the conclusion of the event, Nalanda College was named Overall Champion, while Devi Balika Vidyalaya secured the Runner-Up position.

Organisers noted that ESPER continues to evolve as a platform that not only recognises academic excellence but also inspires students to pursue careers in science, technology and innovation. The event reflects a growing emphasis on nurturing future-ready skills aligned with Sri Lanka’s development goals in science and digital transformation.

With increasing participation and industry engagement, ESPER Awards is expected to further strengthen its role in shaping the next generation of scientists, innovators and entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka.