Linking Hands with Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO to take science to the community

Prof. Ranjith Senaratne, Chairman of the NSF after extending a warm welcome, put forward the importance of taking science to the community and creating interest among children in science education. He further, emphasized some possible mechanisms that can be employed to take science to the community. The most effective methods could be use of mobile lab (e. g. science Bus) equipped with necessary basic scientific equipment and some trained staff to give hands on experience to children in rural areas on scientific concepts, phenomena etc. Further, he discussed the importance of having Technopark in provincial level probably associated with universities to educate the community and evoke interest on scientific thinking. The need of special media programme and community radio targeting the general public on science education also highlighted. The Secretary General of Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO Dr Punchi Nilame Meegaswatte agreed fully with the proposed programmes related to science popularization and stated his keenness to support these programmes considering the national importance. Additional Director of the NSF, Dr Thmara Dias, NSF Working Committee on Science popularization, Dr Jayantha Wattevidanage also were present at the meeting.