The Institute of Chemistry on 9th May conducts the M. U. S. Sultanbawa Memorial oration at Adamantane House, 341/22, Kotte Road, Welikada, Rajagiriya at 5.00 p.m. It will be delivered by Professor Priyani Paranagama, Department of Chemistry, University of Kelaniya on "Exploring Small Molecule Bioactive Natural Products; Selected Examples from Plant Associated Fungi, Endolichenic Fungi and Essential Oil Bearing Plants". Professor Savithri Kumar, of Chemistry, University of Peradeniya will be the Chief Guest. Professor Priyani Paranagama will receive the M. U. S. Sultanbawa Memorial Oration Gold Medal.

For his contribution to scientific research in the country, particularly to Chemistry, Prof. Sultanbawa was conferred the D.Sc. in 1978 by the University of London. He was honoured with the title 'Vidya Jyothi' in 1990 by the President of Sri Lanka and made a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Science. He was also the winner of the Guinness Award for Scientific Achievements in 1978.

Prof. Sultanbawa was actively involved with the work of the Institute of Chemistry, Ceylon and the Ceylon Association of the Advancement of Science (CAAS presently known as SLAAS) and held office of the General President of CAAS in 1972. He was instrumental in organizing a series of islandwide school exhibitions under the patronage of CAAs. Prof. Sultanbawa functioned as the Chancellor of the Eastern University of Sri Lanka (1986) from its inception.