Global Astronomy Survey : Sri Lanka

First Submission : THIWANKA JAYASIRI ( SPACE GENERATION ADVISORY COUNCIL-UNITED NATION, NPoC-SRI LANKA) [see human resources section] 9 July 2009

Professional (Research) Astronomy:

(i) Number of universities offering Astronomy (and their names)

There is no such a university offering as astronomy as a degree but in Colombo university and the University of Moratuwa has Astronomy as a credit to there course content

Contacts:   

* Colombo University-http://www.cmb.ac.lk/

*Moratuwa University-http://www.mrt.ac.lk/ -

University of Moratuwa

Katubedda

Moratuwa

Sri Lanka

Telephone

(General Numbers)         :           +94 112 650301

+94 112 650534

+94 112 650441

+94 112 651671

+94 112 650340

Fax       :           +94 112 650622

Email    :           This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

(ii) Number of universities offering Physics (and their names)

     *Colombo University:- http://www.cmb.ac.lk/

     *University of Kelaniya:- http://www.kln.ac.lk/

     *University of Peradeniya: http://www.pdn.ac.lk/

     *University of Sri JayawardanePura- http://www.sjp.ac.lk/

ACCMT:-Arthur C Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies

                         Dr .Saraj Gunesekkara: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

                        Dr. Chandan Jayarathne: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

                        Research scientist Indika Madananagoda :I This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

                         http://www.accimt.ac.lk/courses/training.

  (iv) Number of astronomical facilities (observatories, telescopes, etc) and as much detail about each as possible (websites/contact details)

Colombo University

10 inch Cassegrin Reflecting Telescope

ACCMT

The division maintains the 45cm Cassegrain optical reflective telescope. Night sky observation sessions are organized and conducted by the division to popularize astronomy among school children and interested observers in SriLanka.

    The Largest telescope in Sri Lanka at ACCMT

http://images.google.lk/imgres?imgurl=http://lightmillennium.org/3rd_april_03/image/accmt_engineer.jpg&imgrefurl=http://lightmillennium.org/3rd_april_03/bu_accmt_interview.html&usg=__sx931kDnqnii5mZKVDjJW9sFg7A=&h=285&w=308&sz=24&hl=en&start=2&tbnid=dCoUNMR_POaZhM:&tbnh=108&tbnw=117&prev=/images%3Fq%3Daccmt%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG

http://www.accimt.ac.lk/spaceapp/solar.htm

(v) Self evaluation (according to the different phases above, how would

you rate your country in terms of Professional Astronomy? Please include

any other relevant information to motivate your choice

2. Public Understanding of Astronomy:

(i) What governmental astronomy/science outreach programmes for the

public take place (co-ordinated either by government departments or

national facilities)

Sri Lanka Planetarium

            Contact Director:  Priyanka Kumuduni Koralagamage

                                            Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

(ii) What non-governmental astronomy/science outreach programmes for the

public take place (NGO activities or international programmes that your

country is involved in)

(iii) Comment on the presence of astronomy in the media (TV, radio,

newspapers). Is it very prominent? Are there specific programmes on

astronomy? Is the media generally willing to publish news on astronomy?

(iv) Comment on the presence of astronomy/science in the general culture

of the people. Are there any specific challenges or setbacks? Is

astronomy a welcome subject of conversation?

Not actually...Every one is inn open mind and there curious to learn in Astronomy, I think government should change those who are in authorized in this matter and also should process with a plan. I can’t see any plan they have made.

(v) Self evaluation (according to the different phases above, how would

you rate your country in terms of Public Understanding of Astronomy?

please includes any other relevant information to motivate your choice.)

Primary Level

3. Astronomy in Schools:

(i) What governmental astronomy/science education and outreach

programmes for schools take place (co-ordinated either by government

departments or national facilities) None From the  governmental way

(ii) What non-governmental astronomy/science education and outreach

programmes for schools take place (NGO activities or international

programmes that your country is involved in):None

(iii) Comment on the presence of astronomy in the school curriculum. Is

it part of the school curriculum? Is it very prominent? What age groups? Age 13 to 15

(iv) Comment on the status of astronomy/science in schools. Are there

any specific challenges or setbacks? There is sufficient number of students

YES there are many students who would like to study on astronomy but the matter is about not enough resources studying maths and science? General interest in maths/science/astronomy in schools?   MAXIMUM

(v) Self evaluation (according to the different phases above, how would you rate your country in terms of Astronomy in Schools? Please include any other relevant information to motivate your choice.)

 Can’t say Intermediate but still in a primary Level