The Institute of Fundamental Studies, also known as IFS, is the premier institute of basic and applied research in Sri Lanka. It was established in 1981 by an act of parliament and initially located in Colombo and then in 1985 relocated to Kandy. The goal of establishing IFS was to stimulate the growth of knowledge by the enhancement of the countries national scientific research capability, in selected fields to eventually build a knowledge-based Sri Lankan society.
Objectives of the institute thus are to conduct basic research in the fields of mathematics, chemistry, life sciences and social sciences as well as dissemination of gained knowledge. IFS also trains around 32 graduate students at any given time.
IFS is administered by a twelve-member Board of Governors with his Mahinda Rajapakse, the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka as the Chairman. A Research council whose membership comprises university academics and researchers of the IFS, serves as an advisory body. Currently, the research council comprises 21 prominent scientists.
Members of the research council:
Chairman: Prof. C.B. Dissanayake, Director, Institute of Fundamental Studies
Prof. J.M.S. Bandara, Institute of Fundamental Studies
Prof. U.L.B. Jayasinghe, Institute of Fundamental Studies
Prof. N.S. Kumar, Institute of Fundamental Studies
Prof. A. Nanayakkara, Institute of Fundamental Studies
Prof. G. Seneviratne, Institute of Fundamental Studies
Dr. S.P. Benjamin, Institute of Fundamental Studies
Dr. N.D. Subasinghe, Institute of Fundamental Studies
Dr. M.C.M. Iqbal, Institute of Fundamental Studies
Dr. D.N. Magana-Arachchi, Institute of Fundamental Studies
Dr. R. Rathnayake, Institute of Fundamental Studies
Dr. M. Vithanage, Institute of Fundamental Studies
Dr N.R. de Silva
Prof. C.A.N. Fernando, Department of Electronics, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka
Prof. N.K.B. Adikaram, Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya
Prof. S.H.P.P. Karunaratne, Dean/ Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya
Dr S.R.D. Rosa, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Colombo
Prof. Athula Senarathna, Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya
Mr. K. T. Waisundara, Secretary / Institute of Fundamental Studies
