National Institute of Fundamental Studies (NIFS)

The National Institute of Fundamental Studies (NIFS) (Sinhala: ජාතික මූලික අධ්‍යන ආයතනය) is a government multidisciplinary research institute in Sri Lanka,[1] established in 1981. The NIFS is the only Institute in Sri Lanka which exists for the sole purpose of conducting research in natural and social sciences and philosophy for national development and scientific advancement.

National Institute of Fundamental Studies (NIFS)
Founder(s)Cyril Ponnamperuma
Established1981 Institute of Fundamental Studies (IFS)
2014 National Institute of Fundamental Studies(NIFS)
ChairmanProf. Athula Sumathipala
EndowmentMinistry of Higher Education, Technology and Innovations
Formerly calledInstitute of Fundamental Studies (IFS)
Location
Kandy, Sri Lanka
,
Kandy
,
Sri Lanka
AddressHantana Road, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Websitewww.nifs.ac.lk

The NIFS is engaged in basic, high caliber research focusing on 16 different thematic research areas under 6 research departments. The research carried out at the NIFS is also initiated as a response to burning national problems in Sri Lanka.

Besides engaging in basic research, the NIFS popularizes science, especially among school children, trains postgraduate researchers in the country to prevent brain drain and disseminates scientific knowledge to the wider public.

History

NIFS was established in September 1981 by the Parliament Act No. 55 and shifted its location from Colombo to Kandy on 4 December 1985.[2][3] Vidya Jyothi Professor Cyril Ponnamperuma was appointed as the director of the Institute of Fundamental Studies by President J. R. Jayewardena. He was instrumental in setting up the permanent home of the institute in the Hanthana Hills with a modern laboratory complex.[4]

The name of the institute was changed to National Institute of Fundamental Studies (NIFS) Sri Lanka by the Act No. 25 of 2014.[5]

Ledership

Board of Governors

The institute is administered by them. The board make rules for the procedures in the conduct of its affairs.

Board of Governors (2019 to date)
  • Prof. Athula Sumathipala (chairman)
  • Prof. Saman Seneweera – director, NIFS
  • Prof. Lakshman Dissanayake
  • Dr. Nishantha Perera
  • Prof. Nilwala Kottegoda
  • Prof. Cassim Iqbal
  • Prof. Namal Priyantha
  • Prof. Sampath Amaratunge
  • Science Advisor to H.E. the president (vacant)
  • Ms. Shiranthi Rathnayake
  • Dr. Padmakantha Wanduragala (secretary to the board)

Director

The director is the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer of the NIFS, exercises general supervision over the activities of all staff and students, promotes the interests and furthers the development of the institute.

Directors
  • Prof. Saman Seneweera – 2017 to date
  • Prof. Parakrama Karunaratne
  • Prof. Chandra Dissanayake
  • Prof. Kirthi Tennakone
  • Prof. Cyril Ponnamperuma
  • Prof. Chandra Wickramasinghe

Research Counci

The Research Council has control over the general direction of research and forwards its recommendations to the board of governors.

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References
  1. "National Institute of Fundamental Studies - Sri Lanka".
  2. "NIFS ACT 1981" (PDF).
  3. "1st Amendment 1997" (PDF).
  4. First Day Cover - Professor Cyril Ponnamperuma (PDF). Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka Philatelic Bureau. 2019.
  5. "2nd Amendment 2014" (PDF).
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