30 Oct 2026 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
In a major triumph for the country’s academic and scientific fraternity, a total of 82 Sri Lankan scientists have been recognized in the prestigious Stanford–Elsevier World’s Top 2% Scientists List 2026. Published by Elsevier in October 2026, the global database also showcases 68 Sri Lankan researchers who earned places on the single-year impact dataset, underscoring the growing international influence of research conducted within local university halls and institutes. Compiled annually by researchers at Stanford University using data from Elsevier’s Scopus repository, the list identifies the world’s most influential scientists across 22 scientific fields and 174 sub-fields. Unlike traditional metrics reliant purely on volume, the database uses a standardized composite indicator (c-score) evaluating career-long impact and single-year performance. The score factors in total citations, the h-index, co-authorship adjustments, and authorship position, offering a balanced measure of true scientific influence. Despite economic headwinds and resource constraints, Sri Lanka’s scientific institutions have continued to drive discovery across public health, environmental biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and materials science. Key institutional representations and featured scholars are as follows;
The University of Colombo emerged as a leading force, with 11 researchers featured. Its Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Science demonstrate world-class impact across tropical disease, clinical nutrition, and chemistry: Emeritus Prof. Kamini Mendis – Faculty of Medicine (Malaria Research) Emeritus Prof. Saroj Jayasinghe – Faculty of Medicine (Clinical Medicine & Systems Medicine) Prof. Senaka Rajapakse– Faculty of Medicine (Tropical Medicine) Prof. Nadira D. Karunaweera– Faculty of Medicine (Parasitology) Prof. Priyanga Ranasinghe – Faculty of Medicine (Pharmacology & Diabetes) Prof. Ranil Jayawardena – Faculty of Medicine (Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Health) Prof. Deepika Fernando – Faculty of Medicine (Parasitology & Public Health) Prof. Dakshitha Wickramasinghe – Faculty of Medicine (Surgery) Prof. K. M. Nalin de Silva – Faculty of Science (Chemistry & Nanotechnology) Dr. Umesh Jayarajah – Faculty of Medicine (Surgery) Dr. Meran Keshawa Ediriweera – Faculty of Medicine (Biochemistry & Oncology)
USJ made a strong showing, particularly in environmental sciences, medical immunology, and biotechnology: Prof. Meththika Vithanage – Faculty of Applied Sciences (Earth & Environmental Sciences / Environmental Engineering / Biochar): Prof. Meththika Vithanage also Leading the single-year impact list in Sri Lanka. Snr. Prof. Neelika Malavige – Faculty of Medical Sciences (Immunology & Infectious Diseases) Prof. Isuru Wijesekara – Faculty of Applied Sciences (Food Science & Marine Bioresources) Dr. Kasun M. Thambugala – Faculty of Applied Sciences (Mycology & Plant Pathology) Prof. K. K. A. Sanjeewa – Faculty of Technology (Marine Biotechnology) Prof. Dimuthu S. Manamgoda – Faculty of Applied Sciences (Plant Sciences) Dr. Anusha Hasini Ekanayake – Faculty of Urban and Aquatic Bioresources Dr. Dhanushka Udayanga – Faculty of Applied Sciences (Fungal Biotechnology)
Peradeniya continues its strong tradition across engineering, medicine, agriculture, and science, featuring scholars such as: Prof. Janaka Ekanayake – Faculty of Engineering (Power Engineering & Smart Grids) Dr. Himal A. Suraweera – Faculty of Engineering (Telecommunications & Green Wireless Communications) Prof. D. S. K. Karuna Singha – Faculty of Engineering Prof. S. A. M. Kularatne – Faculty of Medicine (Clinical Toxicology & Snakebite Management) Prof. Arjuna Medagama – Faculty of Medicine (Diabetic Medicine) Prof. Samath D. Dharmaratne – Faculty of Medicine (Community Medicine & Health Metrics) Prof. Nimal Senanayake – Faculty of Medicine (Neurology) Dr. Sampath B. Alahakoon – Faculty of Science Dr. Pavani Dulanja Dissanayake – Faculty of Agriculture (Soil Science) Dr. Avanthi D. Igalavithana – Faculty of Agriculture (Soil & Environmental Science) Prof. Eresha Mendis – Faculty of Agriculture (Food Science) Prof. Niranjan Rajapakse – Faculty of Agriculture
Amidst the celebration of living luminaries, the University community has also paused to pay a poignant tribute to a monumental figure: the late Prof. C. B. Dissanayake of the Faculty of Science. A pioneer in medical geology and environmental geochemistry, Professor Dissanayake’s scholarly footprint remains deeply imprinted on international science. His inclusion in the 2026 list is a fitting testament to a distinguished legacy that continues to inspire generations of researchers within Peradeniya and across the globe.
SLIIT (Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology): 7 academics recognized (spanning 3 career-long and 7 single-year impact placements), highlighting private higher education’s growing contribution to national scientific output. University of Kelaniya: 7 senior academics featured across Medicine and Science, led by Prof. Sachith Gopeetha Mettananda (Faculty of Medicine / Clinical Medicine & Pediatrics).
The Kandy-based premier research institute saw key scientists featured across career and single-year lists: Prof. Kirthi Tennakone– Theoretical Physics & Solar Energy Conversion Prof. Lakshman Dissanayake – Solid-State Physics & Material Science Prof. Suresh P. Benjamin – Evolutionary Biology & Biodiversity Prof. Gamini Seneviratne– Microbial Biotechnology & Agriculture
Featuring prominent international researchers stationed in Sri Lanka, including Dr. Davy Vanham (Water Security, Agriculture & Engineering), alongside senior water policy researchers.
Moratuwa’s research leadership in technology and sustainable engineering was anchored by two acclaimed women professors: Prof. Dulani Meedeniya– Department of Computer Science & Engineering (AI, Deep Learning, Agentic AI, and Software Engineering) Prof. Thilini U. Ariyadasa– Department of Chemical and Process Engineering (Microalgae Biotechnology & Circular Bioprocess Development)
University of Jaffna: 5 researchers listed across both impact tables. Rajarata University of Sri Lanka: 3 researchers recognized, including early legacy features by Prof. Channa Jaya Sumana (Pharmacology). Uva Wellassa University: Featured scholars including Dr. Sandun Abeyrathne (Animal Science).
The inclusion of 82 local minds in Stanford’s elite global database serves as a powerful reminder that Sri Lanka possesses world-class intellectual capital capable of solving critical real-world problems. From advancing local healthcare solutions and agricultural resilience to engineering smart energy systems and artificial intelligence, these researchers exemplify academic perseverance and global distinction.
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