Lankan inventors shine in Geneva
Sri Lanka won the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO)
Award, the International Press Prize, three Gold medals, one Silver
medal and two Bronze medals for the seven inventions the country
presented at the 37th International Exhibition of Inventions, Techniques
and Products of Geneva at Geneva Palexpo (Hall 7) in Switzerland from
April 1 to 5.
Sri Lanka’s Ambassador/Permanent Representative to the United
Nations-Geneva Dr. Dayan Jayatilleka, Sri Lankan Inventors’
Commission Commissioner Prof. Kapila Perera, World Trade
Organisation Sri Lankan Ambassador/Permanent Representative
Kulatunga Perera and Ms. Sanja Jayatilleka with the Sri Lankan
inventors. |
Two of the four most prestigious special awards of the inventors’
exhibition were won by two Sri Lankan inventors. Dammika Sujith from
Chilaw was awarded the WIPO Award (the only cash price awarded at this
competition) for his coir fibre extracting machine and Chandrasena from
Mawathagama, Kurunegala, whose head and mouth operated computer mouse
attracted a lot of media coverage, received the International Press
Prize.
Winning two of the four special awards by one country is rare at this
exhibition and this is the first time Sri Lanka has been honoured with
such recognition.
This exhibition, which was held under the patronage of the Swiss
Confederation, is considered to be the world’s largest market place for
inventions. It hosts annually about 750 exhibitors from around 45
countries and displays about 1,000 new exhibits.
During this event, industrial and commercial companies, inventors,
researchers, associations, private and State agencies and institutes
present their inventions, the result of their research and their new
products.
Sri Lanka has been participating in this prestigious event held in
Switzerland since 1994 with last year’s three Sri Lankan inventors also
winning awards including the Genius Award, a special prize awarded by
the Hungarian Inventors Association. This year, seven Sri Lankan
inventors presented their inventions at the exhibition:
Coir fibre extracting machine by Dammika Sujith of Chilaw won the
Prize of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and Merit
Gold with special commendation by the Judges.
Head and mouth operated computer mouse for the disabled by M.A.
Prince Chandrasena of Mawathagama, Kurunegala won the International
Press Prize and Merit Gold with special commendation by the Judges. Low
cost drying system for food and agro products by Kapila Weeratunga
Arachchi of Heerassagala, Kandy won the Merit Gold with special
commendation by the Judges
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