Sri Lankan Scientist Wins Global 2026 OWSD-Elsevier Energy Award 📈

• Duleeka Sandamali Gunarathne from Sri Lanka has been named one of five winners of the 2026 OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award for Early-Career Women Scientists in the Developing World. • The award recognizes her visionary leadership and research in Engineering Sciences, specifically focusing on advancing UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7: ensuring access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy. • Key Highlights: • Recognized for "transforming communities" through innovations in the sustainable energy sector. • One of only five global recipients selected from the Global South (alongside winners from Guatemala, Syria, Kenya, and Togo). • The award includes a cash prize of US$ 5,000 and a travel grant for an international conference to support professional growth. • Economic Impact: • Since 2013, this program has recognized 84 scientists across 38 countries, positioning winners as key role models for ICT/BPM and Engineering leadership. • Gunarathne’s achievement highlights Sri Lanka’s growing intellectual capital in renewable energy and sustainable technology, vital for long-term national energy security and professional services exports. • Awarded by the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) and the Elsevier Foundation ahead of International Women’s Day.