As part of the commemorative events marking the 77th anniversary of the independence of Sri Lanka, the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Milan co-organised an interactive session on the theme “Sri Lanka, Paradise Isle: A Biodiversity Hotspot”. The Department of Earth Science and Environment of the University of Pavia collaborated with the Consulate General to organize the event which was held at the KOSMOS Museum of the University of Pavia in Italy.
Senior Curator of Lichens and Slime Moulds at The Natural History Museum of London, Dr. Gothamie Weerakoon delivered a presentation, which was followed by a Q & A session. Dr. Weerakoon is a renowned botanist, lichenologist and environmentalist and the first South Asian woman scientist to hold the Annual Grantee Award from the National Geographic Society. The event was attended by representatives of academia, students and many others.
Awareness sessions on the fascinating and unique biological variability in Sri Lanka generated significant interest and curiosity among those who were present. Consequently, the University of Pavia expressed its interest in collaborating with a Sri Lankan University in the fields of agriculture and botany.
Consulate General of Sri Lanka
Milan
05 March 2025
