University of Moratuwa team competing in Germany seek assistance from Minister Amunugama on project

By Shannon Jayawardena

A team of young innovators who are currently University of Moratuwa students are to compete in a young innovators challenge in Germany. The students recently met with Minister Amunugama to discuss and seek assistance on the project.

The students, who are from the Aeronautical Engineering stream of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, will be the first Sri Lankan team to compete in the competition. They have been given the task of developing a single seat electric racing car. 

The Minister expressed his appreciation of the initiative of the students and stated that he will give his fullest support in ventures such as this and help secure funds for such initiatives. Minister Amunugama also noted that encouraging and promoting innovations right up to their commercialisation and utilisation in actual work is essential for the development of the country, and that it was his policy to do so as Minister in charge of the subject of research.

Project Advisor Dr. Himan Punchihewa, Senior Lecturer Dr. Janaka Gamage, Project Co-ordinator and Faculty Adviser Sasiranga de Silva, together with the engineering undergraduates comprising of the innovator team including Shehara Perera, Samith Hettiarachchi, Buddhika Kasun, Sanjaya Mallikarachchi and Nimantha Priyamal participated in the discussion.  

The Minister hopes that the technological talents displayed in participating in international competitions that will bring credit to the country will also be used in creating innovations that will advance the country’s development effort. Likewise, he wished the team the best of luck at the competition.