We are happy to inform you that the two Particle Size Analyzers (Coulter) and the Gas Chromatograph (Agilent 6890) equipped with TCD/FID Detectors were cleared from customs and delivered to the Science Faculty of the University of Colombo on December 2, 2024.
Dr. Anagi Balachandra, a CUFSAA member, secured these valuable analytical instruments from her colleagues at Dow Chemical Company, including Dr. Chris Davis (Dow) and Dr. Ronda Grosse, a retiree from Dow, who now serves on the Board of Directors of ‘Chemists Without Borders’ (CWB).
We are grateful to Prof. Nalin de Silva, Head of the Chemistry Department, for his time and effort to get the required approvals from the university, ministries and customs. Many thanks to Director General (Customs), Mr. Gamini Jayawardena and Mr. Sachintha Kaluaggala (Deputy Directors, Customs), Prof. Chandana Jayaratne (Head/Physics Department), non-academic staff members, Ceylon Shipping Inc., NY (Trico) and all those who were involved in this donation.
These instruments will be installed in the chemistry department and shared across physics and numerous other departments in the Science Faculty. This will be a great asset to the faculty members and students to conduct their research for many years to come.
We are truly grateful for the support of CWB in making this donation possible. Our sincere thanks go to “Chemists Without Borders,” especially Dr. Ronda Grosse, Ramin Sedehi, and Dr. Anagi Balachandra. We also greatly appreciate Dow for this generous gift, which will empower our students and contribute to advancing science education, quality research, and innovation in Sri Lanka.
[Photo Credits: Prof. Nalin de Silva]