UCIARS History 

The Institute was first established as the Magampura Agro-Technology and Community Services Center in Weligatta, Hambantota affiliated to the University of Colombo in 2000 by the University Grants Commission. The Centre’s history dates back to 1998 through which the University researchers were able to build close collaborative links with the community over the years to transfer technology/knowledge and know-how directly to the end-users and improve efficiency in agriculture and agro-industry in the region. The founder of this institute was the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Colombo and the former Chairperson of the University Grants Commission, Professor Kshanika Hirimburegama.

The University of Colombo Institute for Agro-Technology and Rural Sciences (UCIARS) was established as a Higher Educational Institute affiliated to the University of Colombo, under Section 24A of the Universities Act No.16 of 1978 and the University of Colombo Institute for Agro-Technology and Rural Sciences Ordinance No.02 of 2008 (published in Gazette Extraordinary No.1570/34 of 10th October 2008). The Order came into operation with effect from 25th August 2008.

Professor Kshanika Hirimburegama

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The founder of  UCIARS

former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Colombo and the former Chairperson of the University Grants Commission.

Prof.S.Sutharsan

Sutharsan_Somasundaram2

08.06.2020  to 07.08.2021

Professor in the Faculty of Agriculture, Eastern University of Sri Lanka,

Prof.S.Subasinghe

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03.07.2017 to 23.10.2019

Senior Professor in the Faculty of Agriculture,University of Ruhuna.

Mr. M.D.Piyathilake

piayathilake
19.08.2013 to 18.08.2016

Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka

Director (Livestock and Fisheries)

Prof.S.Sutharsan

Sutharsan_Somasundaram2

08.06.2020  to 07.08.2021

Professor in the Faculty of Agriculture, Eastern University of Sri Lanka,

Prof.S.Subasinghe

1520159579443

03.07.2017 to 23.10.2019

Senior Professor in the Faculty of Agriculture,University of Ruhuna.

Mr. M.D.Piyathilake

piayathilake
19.08.2013 to 18.08.2016

Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka

Director (Livestock and Fisheries)

Acting Directors

Prof.K.R.R.Mahanama

Prof-K-R-Ramjith-Mahanama

19.08.2016 to 02.07.2017

Senior Professor, Faculty of Science, University of Colombo

 Dr. N.P.Vidanapathirana

Head - Department of Agro-technology

24.10.2019 to 07.06.2020

08.08.2021 to 01.03.2022

Senior Lecturer II, UCIARS