The 21st award ceremony of the Australian National Chemistry Quiz for the year 2017, conducted by the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon, was held on 4th April 2018 at “Adamantane House”, Rajagiriya. Dr. Janaka Dias, Medical Officer in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Changi General Hospital, Singapore, attended the event as the Chief Guest. Dr. Janaka himself was a recipient of the RACI Best Performance Award and received a full scholarship to follow the Graduateship Program at the College of Chemical Sciences in 2009.
During the ceremony, 18 coordinating teachers who served as assistant supervisors for more than five years were awarded plaques and certificates of appreciation. In the Senior Division, two students — Pamodi A. Wijenayaka from Sanghamitta Balika Vidyalaya, Galle, and Azhar Mansoor from Zahira College, Matale — received the Best Performance Awards and also earned full scholarships to pursue the prestigious Graduateship Program at the College of Chemical Sciences.
A total of 46 students in the Senior Division (SL Grade 12) and 7 students in the Junior Division (SL Grade 11) who achieved high scores were also awarded plaques and certificates of excellence for their performance in the competition.
To conclude the ceremony, the CCS Magic Club organized a Special Magic Show to entertain the attendees.
The event was well attended and highlighted outstanding academic performance in chemistry at national level, bringing pride to Zahira College, Matale.