News section

  1. Profood

Representing Wayamba University at the ProFood ProPack & AgBiz Exhibition 2023

The Society of Food Science and Technology took part in the 20th Edition of Sri Lanka’s premier Food Industry Exhibition. The products that were on display were well received and even received commendation from parties who wished to commercialize some of those products. Furthermore, Ms. Chathuri Hettiarachchi won first place for best individual performance on food safety at the Inter-University Quiz Competition organized by the Institute of Food Science and Technology Sri Lanka, which was held parallelly to the Profood exhibition.

The members of the society wish to express our sincere gratitude to all the Staff members and the students who dedicated their time and effort to making it a success.

Wayamba University Wins multiple awards at the 19th  Profood Propack & AgBiz Exhibition.

We are excited to announce that the Wayamba University of Sri Lanka has been awarded first place for the Most innovative product and Best Stall under the institutional category at the prestigious “Profood Propack & AgBiz 2022” Exhibition, which is the premier convention related to the food industry in Sri Lanka.

The “Kohila sausage“, which was developed by the students of the Department of Food Science & Technology from the batch of 2018/19 has been honored with the award for the Most innovative product. The society would like to thank our team for their outstanding work in developing the “Kohila sausage” and representing Wayamba University at the exhibition. This award recognizes the team’s dedication to creating an innovative and high-quality food product that stands out in the industry. These awards are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our faculty and students.

 

  1. Workshop on Food Safety

Celebrating the World Food Safety Day – 7th of June

“Food standards save lives” was the theme of World Food Safety Day in 2023. The Society of Food Science & Technology Celebrated World Food Safety Day on the 7th of June by organizing a workshop on food safety and quality management systems and certifications.

The guest speaker of the session was Mr. M.A. Tharindu Herath, Director/ lead consultant at SAFO industry (Pvt) Ltd., who shared his insights and expertise on food safety and quality management. His knowledge and guidance provided valuable perspectives on best practices, emerging concerns, and innovative solutions in the field.

The members of the society wish to express our sincere gratitude to our guest speaker for his invaluable support.

  1. IDB Exhibition

Representing Wayamba University at the National Industry Exhibition 2023.

The students of the Department of Food Science & Technology from the batch of 2018/19 took part in the “Industry 2023” exhibition organized by the Industrial Development Board Sri Lanka, which was held from the 22nd to 25th of June at the BMICH, Colombo, with the purpose of pitching their innovations to potential investors.

The IDB Exhibition served as a platform for students to demonstrate their talent, creativity, and dedication in tackling real-world challenges in sustainable development.

Our students’ exceptional efforts were recognized by industry professionals, experts, and visitors alike.

    4. 𝐔𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞: 𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 & 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲, 𝐖𝐔𝐒𝐋 𝐚𝐭 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬

     

    Sri Lanka Packaging Awards – Lanka Star, organized by the Sri Lanka Institute of Packaging, can be regarded as an invaluable platform to recognize packaging excellence in the packaging industry of Sri Lanka. The contest is held across 19 categories. University students represent the student category, and the winners are encouraged to apply for the Asia Student Star and World Student Star award competitions. The Department of Food Science & Technology at Wayamba University of Sri Lanka consistently strives to uplift undergraduates with both theoretical and practical knowledge, aiming to showcase their vast potential in the food industry. Today, let’s delve deep into the significant success the department has achieved so far in the competition.

    The first success in the competition came in 2020. At the Sri Lanka Packaging Awards – Lanka Star 2020, our undergraduates won one Gold and one Silver. The Gold was awarded to H.U.K.De.Z.Rajapakse, B.G.R.S.G.Gamlath, D.A.H.K.Chandrasiri and B.A.Y Ruwanara for their Active bioplastic sachet. The silver was awarded to S.Gowtham, I.D.B.Premarathna, N.K.H Sandaruwan and P.N.T.De Zoysa for their Oil-absorbing bioplastic.
    The year 2021 is the most successful year in terms of awards. Our undergraduates had so much success at the 2021 awards claiming one gold, five silver, seven bronze, and one merit award. The gold was awarded to P.M.N.Fernando, W.R.P.Gunarathna, and L.A.M.P.S.Bandara for their edible packaging for cookies.
    One silver was awarded to I.C.U.Bendarage, J.M.Y.U. Jayakodi and G.V.S.Y. Jayarathna for their biodegradable coir tray with transparent cover for the packaging of fresh fruits and vegetables. Another silver was awarded to Wanigasinghe H.G. Fernando K.J.H, Geethma W.A. and Mathawa P.M.R.for their chitosan, aloe Vera and xanthum gum based edible coating for fresh cut fruit pieces. K.A.M.N.Jothipala, H.D.P.P.Samaranayaka and G.R.C.G.Gamlath also won a silver for their edible sachet for instant coffee. Fourth silver was awarded to L.A.S.Madhubhashini K.J.A.Perera and D.P.I.V.Rasanjana for their antibacterial, active, biodegradable packaging wrap with teak leaf extract for fish and meats. The fifth silver was awarded to M.Renuka, H.M.N.R. Gunarathne and W.A.J.C.Samarasinghe for their jackfruit seed starch bioplastic for lollipop wrappers and stick.
    One bronze was awarded to J.A.N.L.Madhusanka, V.S.B.Viharana, and M.D.Jayasekara for their papain based Ma-wee incorporated meat tenderizing cup.Another bronze was awarded to W.I.M.De Silva, T.U.D.Peiris, and K.M.P.M.Kulathunga for their banana stem edible & biodegradable package for yoghurt. Third bronze was awarded to Fathima M.Ν.Wishmantha S.A.M. and Ramiya.S. for their Starch based bioplastic from jack fruit rags. H.K.S.Thaksala, W.S.A.De Silva, and N.K.A.U.Bandara also won a bronze for their ecofriendly novel package made by using agro waste to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. Fifth bronze was awarded to R.M.D.P. Rathnayaka W.P.A.H. Shihara, and E.R. Prabhashvari for their passion fruit peel and beeswax based biodegradable packaging material for fruits and vegetables. Sixth bronze was awarded to L.D.V.S.Gunawardhana, J.A.Devinston, and S.A.R.U.Sooriyapperuma for their edible cup for Ice Cream. Seventh bronze was awarded to K.M.U.Grero, W.A.S.Kumara M.H.S.Perera for their banana peel and starch confectionery container.
    P.G.P.P.Samarasinghe, P.G.T.S. Thilakarathna, C.T.Jayadewa and B.R.K.A.Rathnayaka claimed a merit award for their natural corn starch based biodegradable film reinforced with egg shell powder.
    In 2022, our undergraduates won one silver and one merit award. The silver was awarded to P.P.Chamupathi, N.Apiramy, U.K.D.T.Dhananjaya, and P.M.W.A.Gunasingha for their edible, biodegradable carrageenan based film. While W.K.N.Anuradha, H.M.D.W.Bandara, P.S.R.Fonseka, and A.T.N.Antony won a merit award for their biodegradable packaging material from red seaweed.
    In 2023, L.G.P.Akalanka, H.K.Amarasinghe, E.M.G.S.Ekanayaka, L.D.S.Ekanayaka, H.A.C.J.Hettiarachchi and U.M.R.Ruwanthika won a bronze award for their gelatin based biodegradable foam sheet. In addition to that, D.A.N.D. Thilakarathne, M.S.F.Hamdha, H.W.K.Samudika, L.H.A.Y.Kanchana, Akshal S and R.A.M.N.Pabasarani won a merit award for their edible packaging ice cream cup.
    As we conclude this celebration of our award winners, let their remarkable achievements serve as a testament to what dedication and passion can accomplish. As these exceptional individuals continue to thrive, we look forward to witnessing even more success and innovation in the years ahead from our undergraduates.
    5. Office bearers – 2023 – Society of Food Science and Technology
    H.R.P.C.Bandara Hewa 208006 President 778962016 pubuduchandana7pc@gmail.com
    P.R.R.P.Polgampala 208060 secretary 705675362 roshmipiyumanthi18@gmail.com 
    M.S.D.Fernando 208017 vice president 711520411 dilshanfernando476@gmail.com
    W.S.I.Fernando 208019 Assistant secretary 776570360 sajinifernando321@gmail.com
    M.D.Niroshan 208057 Junior treasurer 765298381 madarasinhage.niroshan@gmail.com
    P.P.P.Gunasekara 208023 editor 719004516 pragathi551@gmail.com
    K. D. T. Navoda 208053 Committee member 777454792 tharushi.navoda2000@gmail.com
    C.R. Vithanage 208095 Committee member 778135189 chamara.ruwan.2000@gmail.com
    S.A.D.Y.Ukwatta 208118 Committee member 715129355 dinurayuvin@gmail.com
    D.M.H.D.Senevirathne 208080 Committee member 714770739 hirusenevirathne1108@gmail.com

    Planned activities –

    • Fundraising activities –
    • mega musical event
    • Monthly fair to sell food product
    • Car washings
    • Selling Department t shirt and society t shirt
    • Reviewing award winning food products of ProFood-ProPack Food Exhibition
    • Presenting food products representing all the award categories of ProFood-ProPack Food Exhibition
    • Aiming to strengthen our social media presence in all platforms of YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
    • Publishing a newsletter, and publishing article in newspapers.
    • Conducting awareness programmes on food loss and wastage reduction.
    • Conducting online webinar series for our undergraduates with industry professionals
    • Organize recreational activities.
    • Opening the WayaMart with product made by students