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Sri Lankan-Canadian awarded Gold Medal

Lakshman Jayawardena in Ottawa

Dr. Nimal Ratnayake, a native of Sri Lanka, now a nauturalized citizen of Canada, was one of the recipients of the Commemorative Medal for the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

The Golden Jubilee commemorates the fiftieth anniversary of Her Majesty's reign as Queen of Canada. To mark this occasion, the medal is being awarded to Canadians who have made a significant contribution to their fellow citizens and the international community.

This medal was awarded to Dr. Ratnayake for his outstanding research on the health risks associated with trans fats and the beneficial health effects of canola oil, which has contributed to supporting Canada's canola oil and seed exports. Recently, the Canadian Senate also paid a tribute to his contribution to research on canola oil and trans fats.

Trans fats are unsaturated fats and they are formed during the preparation of margarines and shortenings. Shortenings are used in the preparation of processed foods and various fried foods. Trans fats extend the shelf life of foods and also improve food's appearance.

Dr. Ratnayake is the Head of the Metabolism Research Section at Health Canada, Ottawa. He is nationally and internationally known for his research on health and nutritional effects of dietary fats and analytical methods in fats and oils. Dr. Ratnayake is a prolific author; publishing over 100 scientific papers in international journals and made over 120 presentations at international meetings. He currently serves as an associate editor for the journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society.

Dr. Nimal Ratnayake was born in Godamunne, Kandy and had his primary education at St. Anne's College, Kurunagala. After completing the bachelor of science (chemistry honours)degree at the University of Sri Lanka (Peradeniya), Dr. Ratnayake proceeded to Canada on a Commonwealth Scholarship and attended Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he earned his masters and doctoral degrees in organic chemistry.

After returning to Sri Lanka, he worked for a short period at the Ceylon Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research (CISIR)and then immigrated to Canada in 1982.

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