Prof. B.M.N.W.B. Balasooriya is a distinguished geologist and academic, currently serving as the Director of the Postgraduate Institute of Science (PGIS), University of Peradeniya. He holds a B.Sc. from the University of Peradeniya, an M.Phil. from PGIS, and a Ph.D. from the Institut National Polytechnique de Grenoble, France.

His research expertise spans mineralogy, economic geology, and advanced applications of Sri Lankan vein graphite, including graphite intercalation compounds, nanocomposites, and lithium-ion battery materials. He has made significant contributions to scientific research, including innovations and patents in graphite-related technologies.

Prof. Balasooriya has held several key academic and administrative positions, including Acting Head of the Department of Geology, Chairman of the Board of Study in Earth Sciences at PGIS, and Director of the Internal Quality Assurance Unit at the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka. He has also contributed to national development through his involvement with institutions such as Kahatagaha Graphite Lanka Ltd. and the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau. In recognition of his contributions, he has received multiple prestigious awards, including the Presidential Awards for Scientific Research and the P.G. Cooray Medal for Young Geoscientists.

A dedicated and accomplished professional, Prof. Balasooriya continues to play a vital role in advancing geoscience research and postgraduate education in Sri Lanka.

Prof. Kehelpannala is a structural geologist with over three decades of contributions to the advancement of geological sciences in Sri Lanka, Africa, and the broader Gondwana research community. A Magna Cum Laude Ph.D. graduate from the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany, and a former Visiting Senior Lecturer at the University of Peradeniya (1994–2011), he later served at the University of Botswana, Botswana, from 2011 to 2024, and as a Part-time Associate Professor at the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (2021–2023).

His landmark scientific achievements include the discovery of a Neoproterozoic plate boundary in Sri Lanka, the early prediction of Indian Ocean tsunami hazards, proposing a mantle origin for Sri Lankan vein graphite, and identifying post-metamorphic K-metasomatism in both Sri Lanka and Botswana. Prof. Kehelpannala’s academic and research excellence has been recognized through several prestigious honors, including the Ananda Coomaraswamy Memorial Medal (2015)—the highest lifetime recognition awarded by the Geological Society of Sri Lanka—and two Sri Lanka Presidential Research Awards for his scientific contributions. He has co-authored a book on “Atlas of deformed and metamorphosed rocks from Proterozoic Orogens,” published by Elsevier.

Prof. Kehelpannala holds long-standing memberships in leading professional bodies worldwide, including the International Association for Gondwana Research (IAGR), where he has been serving on the Steering Committee since 1997, the Institute of Geology, Sri Lanka, the Botswana Academy of Science, and multiple geoscience associations across Asia and Africa. He has also contributed significantly to national scientific leadership in Sri Lanka, serving as President of the Geological Society of Sri Lanka (2004–2005), Chairman of the Tsunami Disaster Committee, and a member of national committees on mineral policy and disaster management.

View the Virtual Talk: The Origin and Distribution of the Sri Lankan-type Vein and its Relation to High-Grade Metamorphism and Deformation of the Country Rocks. 

Himashee Naranpanawa is a Research Assistant at the National Center for Advanced Battery Research (NCABR), affiliated with the National Institute of Fundamental Studies (NIFS), Sri Lanka, and a PhD researcher at the Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya. Her work focuses on converting Sri Lanka’s high-purity vein graphite into commercially viable, battery-grade anode materials for lithium-ion and emerging sodium-ion technologies.

She holds a B.Sc. in Mineral Resources and Technology from Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka and an M.Phil. from the University of Peradeniya, where she developed optimized purification and surface modification strategies for graphite, followed by process scale-up. Building on this foundation, her current research integrates process optimization, surface engineering, and pilot-scale system development to bridge the gap between laboratory research and industrial implementation. 

Her expertise includes mineral processing, extractive metallurgy, electrochemical exfoliation, and advanced materials characterization, with hands-on experience in pilot plant design and process validation. She is actively engaged in developing scalable pathways for lithium-ion and sodium-ion battery applications, with a strong focus on performance enhancement and process efficiency. She is particularly interested in the commercialization of critical minerals, especially graphite, and in strengthening global supply chains through value addition at the source. 

A dedicated and emerging researcher, Himashee is committed to transforming Sri Lanka’s graphite into high-value, industry-ready materials, driving commercialization and unlocking its potential as a strategic resource.

Professor R. M. Gamini Rajapakse is a Senior Professor of Chemistry and Nanotechnology at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, with an eminent academic career spanning more than four decades. He received his Ph.D. and D.I.C. from Imperial College London and completed advanced postdoctoral research in photoelectrochemistry under the mentorship of the late Prof. W. John Albery at Oxford University. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC), UK, and a Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences of Sri Lanka (NASSL).

Prof. Rajapakse is one of Sri Lanka’s most prolific and influential scientists, with over 150 indexed publications, an h-index of 38, five granted international patents, and several additional patent applications under evaluation. His research spans materials chemistry, nanotechnology, environmental remediation, advanced membranes, and green functional materials.

A major focus of his work is the conversion of Sri Lankan mineral resources into high-value nanomaterials, strengthening the link between natural resources and industrial innovation. His group has pioneered significant advancements in processing Sri Lankan vein graphite, developing efficient and scalable routes to synthesize expanded graphite, few-layer graphene, graphene oxide, graphene nanoplatelets, and graphene-based nanocomposites. These value-added graphene products are now being explored for applications in energy storage (battery and supercapacitor electrodes), EMI shielding, smart coatings, lubricants, advanced polymer composites, sensing devices, and high-performance filtration membranes.

Beyond graphite, his team has developed technologies for converting other local minerals—such as apatite, ilmenite, zircon, and quartz—into advanced nanomaterials for applications in water purification, photovoltaics, catalysis, bio-composites, and biomedical engineering. His broader research contributions include clay–conducting polymer nanocomposites, hydroxyapatite-modified nanofiltration membranes, natural-fiber automotive composites, sustainable biomaterials, and nanomedicine.

Prof. Rajapakse leads numerous international collaborations across Asia, Europe, and Australia and has supervised large numbers of undergraduate, M.Phil., and Ph.D. students. His vision is firmly centered on transforming Sri Lanka’s natural resources into globally competitive technologies, advancing academia–industry partnerships, and building long-term scientific capacity for sustainable economic development.

Dr. Shehan de Silva is a scientist and engineer specializing in nanotechnology, materials science, and electronics R&D. He is the Founder and Chief Scientist of the United Science Organization, leading advanced research initiatives that bridge cutting-edge science with commercial and environmental applications.

With over 15 years of experience in carbon-based materials, including carbon nanotubes and graphene, Dr. de Silva has contributed extensively to the development of graphene applications, functional coatings, composite materials, and motor efficiency technologies. His work also spans IoT-enabled process systems and scientific knowledge platforms, integrating innovation with scalable industrial solutions.

A key milestone in his career was the development of Sri Lanka’s first Near Atmospheric Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition (PECVD) system at SLINTEC, enabling advanced surface functionalisation techniques for improved material performance. Dr. de Silva has also held leadership roles in industry, notably as Director of Research and Development at the Jinasena Group, where he has driven innovation in materials engineering, product development, and system integration.

Committed to climate-conscious innovation, his research focuses on developing sustainable and scalable green technologies. He holds a PhD in Nano Electronics and a BEng from the University of Surrey, UK.

Mr. Hemalal Panagoda is a chartered Mining Engineer (CMin, UK and SL). He holds a MSc. (Hons) in mining engineering and is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IMMM) and member of the Institution of Engineers (MIE) in Sri Lanka. Mr. Pangoda is a former Senior Lectuerer in Mining Engineering at University of Moratuwa (1991-1996 & 2010-2021),  former general manager at Lanka Phosphate Ltd. (1996 – 2009), consultant to the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (2018-2019), and senior mining engineer at Bogala Graphite Mines (1980-1991). He currently is Chairman of Kahatagaha Graphite Lanka Ltd. (State Company).

View the Talk:  Strategic Leadership and Sustainable Development of Sri Lanka’s Vein Graphite Resources