Nethmini Nirasha Ratnayake of St Joseph’s convent Kegalle won Bronze Medal at 30th International Biology Olympiad 2019 at Hungary. The 2019 International Biology Olympiad was held in Szeged city from July 14-21 with the participation of students from 74 countries and territories.
IBO 2019 Sri Lankan Team
Nethmini Ratnayake ( St Joseph’s convent Kegalle), Vibath Abayawickrama (Royal College, Colombo), Mithun Samaranayake (Maliyadewa Boys College, Kurunegala) and Chamali Rathnayake (Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo) participated as students (competitors) at this IBO 2019. Prof Hiran Amarasekera (University of Sri Jayewardenepura) and Prof M J S Wijeyaratne (Emeritus Professor, University of Kelaniya) participated as jury members.
The IBO is an annual competition for secondary school students. Their skills in tackling biological problems, and dealing with biological experiments are tested. Interest in biology, inventiveness, creativity and perseverance are necessary.
The IBO competition was based on two theory examinations and four practical examinations. This year, practical examinations were on following subject areas.
- Neurobiology and Bioinformatics (use of Geneious Software)
- Animal and Plant Anatomy, Systematics and Ecology
- Molecular Biology and Animal Physiology
Sri Lankan Biology Olympiad
The Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka has been involved in selecting students to take part in IOB. Olympiad examinations are supported by Ministry of Education and National Science Foundation.
Selection of students to Biology Olympiad Competition was based on Sri Lankan Biology Olympiad 2018 (Theory examination) in Sinhala, Tamil and English media held in June 2018 at 6 Universities around the country: Colombo, Sri Jayewardeneprua, Peradeniya, Ruhuna, Jaffna and Eastern University. From this examination four students were selected among Gold and Silver medal winners after theory and practical training and examinations held at University of Sri Jayewardenpeura and University of Colombo.