InRO News
China–Sri Lanka Academic Exchange and UOP–JRDC Working Coordination Meeting
March 26, 2026
The Vice Chancellor welcomed a delegation from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the International Water Association (IWA) on 26th March 2026 at the Vice Chancellor’s Office, to discuss future collaboration and the progress of the Joint Research and Demonstration Center (JRDC).
The meeting was held with Prof. Terrence Madhujith, Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya, together with Prof. Sanjeewa Malaviarachchi, Director, International Relations Office, Prof. Anil Wasantha Kalupahana, Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Prof. B. M. N. W. B. Balasooriya, Director, Postgraduate Institute of Science, Dr. Madhubhashini Makehelwala, Acting Director, JRDC, Prof. Gamini Rajapakse, Chairman-Research Committee of the JRDC, Dr. Suchitra Weragoda, Former Acting Director-JRDC, Dr. U.K.P.S. Sanjeevani, Scientist, JRDC, Ms. Waruni Edirisooriya, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Management, and Ms. Thushanika Pakkiyarasa, Project Manager, International Relations Office.
The CAS–IWA delegation was led by Prof. Min Yang, Director, Center for Overseas Environmental Technology Cooperation, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, CAS, and Prof. Kala Vairavamoorthy, Chief Executive Officer, IWA. The delegation also included Mr. Jeyannathann Karunanithi, India Regional Operation Manager, IWA, Prof. Yuansong Wei, Deputy Director, Prof. Jingru Liu, Professor, Mr. Li You, Engineer, and Mr. Yawei Wang, Senior Engineer and Director from RCEES, CAS, together with Mr. Yongming Wang, General Manager, Zhejiang Qinghong Environmental Technology Co., Ltd., Mr. Yirong Zhou, Manager, Lihe Technology (Hunan) Co., Ltd., and Mr. Taoran Zhang, Assistant to General Manager, Wanruo (Beijing) Environmental Engineering Technology Co., Ltd.
Both parties highlighted the potential for strengthening cooperation among the University of Peradeniya, CAS, IWA, and the Ministry of Water Supply, particularly in developing joint research programmes and advancing collaboration in water and environmental research.
Discussions also focused on the role of the UOP–JRDC as a regional focal point, the proposed establishment of a permanent institutional framework for JRDC through a dedicated Act, and ensuring long-term financial sustainability through government support and a multi-source funding approach.
The meeting further addressed key research priorities including water quality improvement, pollution control, and expansion into broader environmental areas such as air, soil, and marine sciences. Emphasis was also placed on strengthening academic engagement through Adjunct Professorships, postgraduate research opportunities, and positioning the JRDC as a regional training and research hub with enhanced international collaboration and technology transfer initiatives.
